Book Description
For Robert Pendleton, a professor clinging to tenure and living in the shambles of his once-bright literary career, death seems to be the only remaining option. But his suicide attempt fails, halted at the last moment by the intervention of Adi Wiltshire, a graduate student battling her own demons of failure and thwarted ambition. During Pendleton’s long convalescence, Adi discovers a novel hidden in his basement: a brilliant, semi-autobiographical story with a gruesome child-murder at its core.
The publication of Scream causes a storm of publicity: a whirlwind into which Adi, Horowitz and the still-incapacitated Pendleton are thrust. The novel is treated as an existential masterpiece and looks set to bring its author the success he’s always sought – when, ironically, he is no longer in a condition to appreciate it – until questions begin to be asked about its content: in particular about the uncanny resemblance between Pendleton’s fictional crime and a real-life, unresolved local murder. Enter Jon Ryder, a world-weary detective who could have walked off the pages of a police thriller, and the hunt for the murderer is on.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointingly incoherent, nearly unreadable.......2007-10-06
I was drawn to this intriguing-sounding book by a positive blurb for the paperback in the NY Times. But the book, unfortunately, is a mess: the narrative plods from one turgid character to another, encapsulating so many dreary and unlikable people that the novel never comes into focus; points of view change sometimes in successive paragraphs; we are constantly treated to awkward descriptions of landscape and skyline that evoke high school creative writing courses, and repeated uses of the words "moraine", "concatenation" and others too numerous to mention; the story veers off on tangents and ruminations that further dilute what little momentum the book has been building, all at the service of a book that touches on many things but is ultimately about very little. (The only poignant moment occurs [SPOILER!] between a young woman and the chimp she hasn't seen in years. In a book called "Death of a Writer'!)
Don't misunderstand me; a decent editor could (and should!) have turned this into a clean, readable book, but this is not written in the Amis style, placing literary virtuosity over content (or where style is content). This is written as if it were a first draft that nobody's proofed. It's clumsy and repetitive (really, Collins must repeat the phrase "on the night of Pendleton's suicide attempt" 300 times) - this is a careless and sloppily written book. Let's look at the last sentence. Go ahead, it's the last sentence of the book. Should it really end this way, with this kind of kerplunk? Here's what he wrote: (SPOILER!) "...anything but what he did, retreating within, sacrificing maybe not just Amber Jewel, but untold victims in his continued silence, burying along with them his own opus?" Why not something more like this?: "...anything but what he did, retreating within, burying not only the truth of what happened to Amber Jewel, but his own opus, too, and perhaps untold victims with his continued silence?"
I know, presumptuous, and maybe you like his version better, but the whole thing's like that, clunky, ill-thought-out...("in" his continued silence?) Maybe he's too busy squat-thrusting for his mountain climb, I don't know.
Trust the other reviewers who tell you the writing's just not quite there, like the work of somebody for whom English is not his first language, or it's a translation from the Urdu. Next time, he should get a real editor.
Ambitious, lyrical, dark and dangerous.......2007-10-05
This latest book from the Booker Prize nominated Irish author Michael Collins is much more than a classical murder mystery that some readers have labeled it. Collins' writing in fact is fierce, lyrical and true.
The complex interactions of the characters and situations - the famous writer, the struggling writer, academia versus commercial publishing, the adjunct teacher/PhD career track trap, the political infighting within academic departments, the love interactions, the brutal murder of a young girl, the discovered manuscript, the conflict of dates and the investigative process all mesh together under Collins' complex direction to produce a fierce, lyrical story and narrative which makes one want to read the book again as soon as you are finished. A great book. His best.
What a terrible payoff!.......2007-10-04
What started off as not your usual thriller, eventually became just that.
Collins's style flows hard. He has brilliant passages, truly out of left field moments (a signing chimp) and often ends his chapters in very bizarre spots. The character development is a left a lot to the reader's filling in the blanks and making assumptions. Ryder, for me, was the only character who the reader gets a strong sense of. I thought I had it figured out early on, then became convinced, through the convuluted (but compelling) introduction of the Ryder character, that I had no clue, only to realize that I, indeed, had it figured out.
Regardless, the story had me hooked soon after the initial suicide attempt scene. As soon as the events of the novel within a novel are revealed, I was desperate to find out what had really happened. The real failure of the book is its unwillingness to parrallel Scream!. Collins had the perfect chance to end the story with a vague and unnerving ( that for many readers who have to know everything, disappointing) ending, where little is revealed. And why not, we are never given clear pictures of the characters in the book, they are all a bit mysterious and unlikable, why not leave the ending that way? Even with the odd transitions, the difficult characters, and the randomness of some of the moments (cat food lady), the ending could have been sharp and in tune with some of the existentialist subtexts; instead we are given a pat and tidy ending disguised as a "deep thoughts" moment that makes for a very dissatisfying read.
Strangely satisfying.......2007-09-11
None of the characters in this book are likeable, simply because we have access to their interior lives. None try to do good things or create good art with out ulterior/interior motives. I found this premise quite refreshing, and very realistic. The concept of a pure heart doesn't even extend to the children characters. The whole novel is a constant exercise of looking under rocks for one another's nasty, sliminess. The absurd argument of the NBA committee debating whether Pendleton's book should be disqualified as fiction if it was based on "real" events is a particularly piercing jab at the holy sanctity of art awards. Even though the initial mystery isn't definitively answered, the ending was still, very satisfying.
I gave up after 10 pages.......2007-07-06
Just to establish my Collins bona fides, I thought "The Keepers of Truth" was a borderline great book and I've also read "The Resurrectionists", which had its moments. So I was curious to read "Death of a Writer," especially given its seemingly interesting plot, and eagerly began it.
You know that moment where you're in the middle of a novel and you finally lose all respect for a writer? (Doesn't always happen fortunately, but it does sometimes.) It happened for me on page 2 of "Death." My guess is that Collins wasn't really paying attention when he wrote this book. Maybe he was too exhausted from his Xtreme Sports adventures.
Obviously I didn't read the whole thing, so take it for what it's worth.
Signed,
A Very Disappointed Fan
Average customer rating:
- Intense, well-written mystery with great characters.
- A Mystery With A HUGE Twist
- Finding Answers
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Pierce
Roberto C. Ferrari
Manufacturer: Southern Tier Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Gay | Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Gay & Lesbian | Subjects | Books
Gay | Mystery & Thrillers | Gay & Lesbian | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1560236574 |
Book Description
Some family secrets are never meant to be revealed
Grad student Leo Vasari's life was shattered when his lover Matt died in a car accident. Then exactly one year later, Millie, Matt's mother and Leo's close friend, tries to kill herself. Leo, still mourning his loss, must somehow unravel the mystery that lies at the heart of the troubled Pierce family. Pierce is about grief and rebirth, and moving on to love once more. But the only way Leo can do that is by finding out the true reasons for his lover's death. Leo struggles with his sadness and guilt as he searches for answers--and discovers dark family secrets never meant to be revealed.
An excerpt from Pierce:
He knew the dream would never happen. He had imagined it that night a year ago, because whenever there was craziness like this, it usually ended this way. That night it played out differently though. He wasn't woken by Matt, but by the police. They woke him during the night from his high-induced sleep, and he groggily greeted them from the porch swing, stretching his muscles aching from his contorted position on the wooden bench. He was bleary-eyed, but not so out of it that he didn't know they were police or there was marijuana around. He wondered if they could smell the residual pot in the air or on his breath, but they didn't seem to care.
"Excuse me, sir, is this the home of Matthew Pierce?"
Leo squinted his eyes, then rubbed them. There were two officers in dark blue on his front porch. The one who had spoken was a tall man with sideburns. His partner was a woman, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail, highlighting her chiseled face. He wondered if she was a lesbian. They repeated the question.
Leo rubbed his temples, then nodded.
"Are you a relative, sir?"
He hesitated. He had heard that question before. That one night, because of what Matt had done to himself, when Leo had had to call 911 and follow the ambulance because he couldn't ride with him. And then at the emergency room, when they wouldn't let him in to see Matt, citing "family only." He opened his mouth to speak, and cleared his throat. "We're roommates," he replied with a funny croak.
"We need to know the name of a relative we can contact. . ."
The male police officer's voice trailed off for Leo. As his vision cleared, he looked at the woman. He blinked his eyes, and it occurred to him that when he had said Matt was his roommate, she had stared at him. As he looked back at her, she glanced down, then back at him. It was this subtle acknowledgement. That made him relax. And then suddenly panic. "What happened to Matt?" he asked her.
Pierce, Author Roberto C. Ferrari's first novel, is a riveting mystery-romance sure to keep you spellbound until the very last page.
Customer Reviews:
Intense, well-written mystery with great characters........2007-07-11
Leo Vasari's life was put on "hold" one year ago when his boyfriend of four years, Matt Pierce, was killed in an auto accident. Leo blames himself, since they had argued right before Matt went out on that rainy night, argued about Leo's decision to invite Matt's mother, Millie, to Leo's upcoming birthday party. Matt had been estranged from his mother since the unexplained departure of his father when Matt was a young boy, after which Millie left Matt and his older sister Theresa with their grandmother and took off for California. When his mother recently decided to move back to Florida, Matt had resisted her attempts to reconcile, while Leo had immediately been taken by the feisty senior and their mutual love of genre literature.
After Millie attempts suicide, on the anniversary of Matt's death, Leo is forced to face the circumstances of not just that death, but of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Matt's father so many years before. Was it a mob-related murder, as Millie had told the police, or was the real truth buried in the subconscious of her two children? What could it possibly have been, to cause Matt a lifetime of psychological problems and hatred of his mother? A stranger provides evidence of the man's death, but pushes Millie, Theresa and Leo to find out more.
First time movelist Ferrari has woven a well-written, emotionally intensive, intelligent mystery, with vivid characters that come alive to the reader, that shows what can happen when a parent's desire to protect her children gets out of hand. A bit lengthy, at 368 pages, but it engages the reader every step of the way, as Leo struggles to find the truth that will finally allow him to move on with his life. The reader forms theories along with the characters, and is just as stunned by the revelation of what really happened. I give it five stars out of five.
A Mystery With A HUGE Twist.......2007-05-25
Pierce is a sweeping mystery that will capture the reader's attention and test his sleuthing skills. Additionally, it will drop the reader into the middle of a evolving romance that is destined to happen. Leo, the story's protagonist, is mourning the unexpected and accidental death of his lover Matt. Matt comes from a tragic and dysfunctional past, and suffers demons that have haunted him since early childhood. Matt's estranged mother, Millie, is brought into the plot mix, and as the story evolves, the reader is treated to a series of revelations and confrontations that evolve into a well written murder mystery. Multiple plot twists add to the appeal of this work.
Mr. Ferrari's writing style is abundant, i.e., he provides the reader with details that humanize the characters but are not necessary for plot line development. His hero, Leo, is at times annoying, since he over-analyzes events and literally intrudes into venues that would normally be verboten. Without such actions, the story could not proceed, however, this particular characteristic became labored and in fact annoying to this reader. Despite this minor aspect, PIERCE will provide ample entertainment for any and all readers and will leave the reader with a new sense of privacy and truth, whatever that, truth, might be.
Finding Answers.......2007-02-18
Ferrari, Roberto. "Pierce". Harrington Park Press, 2007.
Finding Answers
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
"Pierce", a first novel by Roberto Ferrari is magical/ Psychological and real, it grabs the reader's interest on the first page and the beauty of the book does not stop even when the covers are closed. Weave in a gay love story and you have a read you are not likely to forget.
Every family has secrets. Some come to light and some are meant never to be discovered. When Matt Pierce was killed in an automobile accident, graduate student, Leo Vasari's (Matt's lover) life was torn asunder. To make matters worse, a year later Matt's mother, Millie, attempts suicide. Leo realizes that the Pierce family has secrets and he is determined to earth them. Still mourning the death of his lover, Leo dives head on into the heart of the Pierce family. As he toils his way into the family secrets, he finds another chance at love but will not allow himself to indulge until he finds out the real reasons for his lover's death. As he searches for truth, Leo must struggle with both sadness and guilt and while doing so he discovers those secrets that were never meant to see the light of day.
If I had to find one word to describe "Pierce", it would have to be vivid. Everything about this books is vivid--the characters, the plot, and the action. It is a book that pulls you in, rests on your brain, and leads you to a sense of awe at the beauty of the book. It seems as if every word is chosen precisely, each action is developed beautifully, and each character is real to the core.
When I finished reading, I sat back and mused over what I had read and I was perfectly useless--the book affected me so deeply. I had become close to the characters and empathetic towards them. It was as if I had found a whole new circle of friends. I felt Leo's pain when he learned of the death of Matt and I commiserated with him about Millie's attempted suicide. It was not enough that she is Matt's mother but she is also Leo's close friend. I understand his shock at learning about the Pierce family and I feared for him as he discovered what he did.
I am sure that those who read "Pierce" will feel much the same. The crystal clear prose used to tell the story sparkles but if I have to laud one thing it is the amazing character development. "Pierce" is just an amazing book that should be read by all. It teaches us how to deal with grief and how to deal with ourselves.
Book Description
When graduate student Jennifer Cassidy approaches cave-diver Beck Easton with a 140-year-old mystery, they set out on a suspense-filled search for hidden treasure--and hidden truths.
Customer Reviews:
Edge-of-the-chair reading.......2007-05-13
I thoroughly enjoyed it! The author's character development is very good which is of utmost importance to me when reading fiction. The message was clear and not preachy. The action scenes were breathtaking, and made me want to hurry up to the next sequence. Good reading for those who like good thrillers without all the sex and language that usually accompany them.
I dove into this with great expectations!.......2006-04-28
It ended up being a good read instead, and that's no loss for me. Tom Morrisey is an author I'll continue to support in the future. Naturally when I first saw the title, it easily looked very similar to "Yucatan Deep", and I knew that diving had to be involved! To say the least, I thought Morrisey composed this together a lot better than "Yucatan", but for me the expectations couldn't have been higher.
This is the first introduction to Beck Easton. And almost immediately we run into Jennifer Cassidy. Some treasure hunting is in order, and it gets a little complex. When it comes down to it, you have 2 schools of thought between Beck and Jennifer, and as they say, opposites attract, amen? But Beck Easton has done a lot, he holds a 5th degree black belt in karate, and the man knows about diving! He also has an awesome faith in Christ, and he knows about grace, as well as a little mercy. Jennifer Cassidy, on the other hand, knows her history. You impressed? Nah, I'm not saying too much more. You'll have to read it to find out the really good stuff!
I suppose I was expecting a little bit more from this. But that's what "Dark Fathom" is for. I walk away satisfied from this adventure! Thanks, Tom!
Couldn't put it down.......2005-08-29
I just finished this great book by Tom Morrisey and will anxiously be looking forward to the next one of his books I can come across. I have been an avid fan of Alton Gansky and am so pleased to find another Christian fiction writer that can keep me as captivated. I found myself anxiously looking forward to what the next page would bring. Being a woman I especially enjoyed the part of a tough, ex-marine not being ashamed to show how important his faith and Christian beliefs were to him. All I can say is, Well Done, Tom Morrisey, Well Done. I can't wait for the next book of the Beck Easton's series.
An Exciting Adventure.......2005-07-21
Jennifer Cassidy is a university graduate assistant who has been hired for a summer job researching the history of Cecilia Sinclair. In researching the former Civil War widow, Jennifer comes across information that leads her to a diving spring in Florida. Enlisting the help of Beck Easton, a former marine diver, Jennifer is determined to discover the secret that Cecilia had hidden there.
In the spring, Beck recovers a 140 year-old clue from the spring that convinces Jennifer to begin a treasure hunt all over America to uncover the mystery surrounding a concealed secret. Unknown to either, is that there is someone else interested in what Beck and Jennifer have found who is watching their every move.
Deep Blue by Tom Morrisey was an excellent novel that I enjoyed reading. The plot has historical accuracy, which was greatly appreciated as it showed obvious research of facts. I found the characters of Beck and Jennifer real instead of unbelievable. Sometimes the terminology got a little hard to understand but not enough to take away from the story. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
WOW.......2005-07-20
As a prolific reader and a "tough sell" when it comes to this kind of fiction, I can't say enough about Deep Blue. I've been drawn in and pulled under and will watch for more of Tom Morrissey's great writing.
Average customer rating:
- Stacey L. Mascia, Humanities and English Instructor
- Outstanding!
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Flesh: A Suzanne LaFleshe Mystery
Hollis Seamon
Manufacturer: Memento Mori Mystery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0972507833 |
Book Description
Flesh provides a smart, sexy, scary, and always surprising take on both pleasures and sins of the flesh. Combining comedy, mystery and Gothic thrills, Flesh introduces a strikingly original female sleuth: Suzanne Brown, aka Suzanne LaFleshe, deluxe-sized woman and connoisseur of all things corporeal. Suzanne is a graduate student writing a dissertation on cannibalism in contemporary literature.
When poet Sam Tindell—one of Suzanne's lovers—falls to his death, smack in the middle of the university Humanities Building, Suzanne is tossed into a maelstrom of mayhem and mystery. Was Sam's death suicide? So everyone assumes, but Suzanne has her doubts, especially when she finds herself hounded by obscene messages and haunted by visions of the wendigo, a cannibal creature with a heart of ice. A strange band of cohorts—starving graduate students; a handsome campus cop; faithful animal companions; a faculty committee; Suzanne's lovers, past, present and wanna-be; and the oldest practicing witch in Albany New York—join Suzanne in her quest to uncover the secret evil that stalks the campus. Along the way, Suzanne struggles to hide her own past as the nude model for an artist sexually obsessed with her plentiful body. In the end, Suzanne, alone, is forced to confront both the danger and the beauty of what her books call "cannibal knowledge" when she finds herself face to face with the murderous wendigo spirit, in the flesh.
Customer Reviews:
Stacey L. Mascia, Humanities and English Instructor.......2005-09-10
This novel is a beautiful and grotesque work of literary art. The beauty of the protagonist, Suzanne, is in part her weight, which she learns to love and accept. Looking past the physical images to embrace her strength of character, overt eroticism, and inclination toward danger is inspiring to say the least. The reversal of course, is that women (and men!) can embrace her flesh, too...all of it. It is refreshing to read about a female character who is not only struggling with her dissertation, her many relationships, and her body image, but also learning to love herself because of those struggles. I found that there was a degree of magic realism in this novel unlike my usual horror and/or science fiction reading interests. I look forward to more novels from this great, modern author, Hollis Seamon. For short stories that inspire, sadden, and transcend, read her collection, Body Work.
Outstanding!.......2005-04-20
On the surface, Hollis Seamon's debut novel, Flesh, is a mystery, but it is far more intelligent, provocative, and daring than an average who dunnit. Seamon seamlessly combines the genres of mystery, academic novel, and fantasy, and she brilliantly weaves together such seemingly diverse strands as wendigos, mouth-watering recipes, covens, ice maidens, lusts and hungers of all kinds, murder and death, body image, and the struggle between good and evil. Her protagonist, Suzanne LaFleshe, is a woman of abundance-abundant size, abundant character, and abundant resources-and she is the heart beat of the book. Suzanne is the rare character that one waits years to find in a book, for she is the person with whom one would share a meal, or engage in an intelligent conversation, or seek out in a life and death crisis. Suzanne is lusty and courageous and perfectly armed to be the heroine of many books to come. I give Flesh my highest recommendation and I also suggest that you read Seamon's earlier collection of exceptional short stories Body Work (where you will also encounter Suzanne LaFleshe!).
Book Description
Susan Conant, the acclaimed author of the Dog Lover's mysteries and the Cat Lover's mysteries, now teams with her daughter for a new culinary mystery series featuring Chloe Carter (known in the chatrooms as GourmetGirl), food connoisseur and survivor of failed romances. On a quest for the perfect meal-and man-she risks a blind date with a fellow food lover who's stabbed to death before the check comes.
Talk about a rocky love life. Chloe's first date of the week is murdered. Her second date is with the prime suspect. The investigation plunges the amateur sleuth into the gourmet restaurant scene to discover a cutthroat world of killer competition, stormy love affairs, and a recipe for Baby Bok Choy Slaw to die for.
Customer Reviews:
Dating, food, and murder.......2007-09-20
Chloe Carter is a food connoisseur. She's now a grad student due to a wacky clause in her uncle's will. Before she can touch her inheritance, she has to get a master's degree of her choice.
When she gets burned by her neighbor and boyfriend, she signs up with an online dating service. She's known as GourmetGirl on the Internet. Reluctantly she accepts a date with DinnerDude. The food is good, but Eric's a bore. When he doesn't come back to the table, Chloe finds him stabbed to death in the men's room.
When she attends Eric's funeral, his parents show up with the opinion that she was his fiancée. Not wanting to upset them at the funeral, she plays along. What she doesn't know is this isn't the only interaction she'll have with them!
Her next date is with a yummy chef, but unfortunately Josh's the prime suspect. She doesn't think he did it, so she sets out to find the real killer. She has ulterior motives, because she wants Josh out of jail so she can continue to date him.
Can she find the killer without becoming the next course?
I really enjoyed this book. Chloe was such a fun character. The authors did such a great job that I often forgot two different people wrote this. Her interaction with her dates and sister were great. Plus her classes and her internship really added to the story. Don't read this when you're hungry. The food descriptions are yummy!
Her many forays into the dating and restaurant scenes were entertaining. I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud when reading this book. This is a great light chick lit mystery. I highly recommend it.
Disappointed!.......2007-06-04
As soon as I see a new book with Susan Conant's name on it, I buy it. In the future, I'll check to see that the writing does NOT include her daughter's name. This book was such a disappointment. The main character aimed at being a bright, humorous modern Boston woman - - AND MISSED! Oh, how they missed! Chloe Carter has an inheritance from her uncle only if she enters a graduate degree and is so directionless that she basically tosses a coin. She's a shallow, vapid, vain, manipulative, sometime mean, bimbo and basically is not worth reading about. The food topic angle is the only plus. There is another title in the series, but I intend to avoid it. I can't believe that Susan Conant put her name on this writing. It MUST be her daughter's writing that she is lending her reputation to - - and it was a loving, but BIG mistake.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-05-27
Chloe Carter is not exactly having the best week of her life. For starters, she's about to attend graduate school, studying social work. Not because she wants to but because that's the only way she can get her inheritance from her uncle. He didn't specify social work; it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Now that school is about to begin, Chloe's not so sure. Secondly, her downstairs neighbor/sometimes boyfriend is outside kissing some tiny blonde chick. Sure, he said he wasn't looking for a relationship, but that doesn't give him the right to parade around with the blonde. Well, maybe it does, but that's not the point! And she can't even use her backup date to make him jealous, since he has a girlfriend now! Not to mention the disaster her apartment has become since her last half-accomplished attempt to redecorate.
Chloe is desperate for something good in her life. It's time for drastic measures. It's time to try the Internet dating service her sister keeps pushing. It worked for her, she's married and has kids and is happy, so maybe it'll work for Chloe. That's the decision she comes to at 3am. A decision she regrets the minute she wakes up. What was she thinking? Normal people don't date through the Internet! Her membership must be cancelled and her profile deleted immediately! Though she could check the messages first, since the people did take the time to write them and all. Wonder of all wonders, there is a normal-seeming guy who seems to like food as much as she does. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Chloe and "DinnerDude" agree to meet at a new high-end restaurant that he's thinking about investing in. If this works out, just think about all of the great free dinners!
First instincts are usually right -- this was a bad idea. Chloe's week is rapidly spiraling from bad to worse. Her blind date is rude, overbearing, and completely self-absorbed. And the food -- well, it started off great, and now it's starting to mirror her week. After waiting for what seems like forever for her blind date to return from the phone call he answered during dinner, Chloe decides to hunt him down. She finds him in the bathroom. On the floor. Dead. Talk about the worst blind date ever!
From the date, to grieving parents who seem to think that Chloe was about to be their daughter-in-law, to the cute chef at the dinner after the funeral (who happens to be the main suspect), Chloe's life has certainly altered drastically. She's just not sure which direction it's headed in!
Chloe is neurotically, obsessively hilarious! And the situations she gets herself stuck in are absurd, but possible. They really could happen -- you just hope they would never happen to you. The characters are all well-drawn. They're all a little bit odd, which makes them that much more lovable and easy to relate to. The story takes awhile to get moving, but when it finally does, it's a whirlwind. Plus, it has recipes! Good story, fun characters, lots of food, AND recipes? Count me in! My only real question is why no one seems to notice that Chloe has missed her calling. She should be a detective, not a social worker.
*Disclaimer for those concerned that this is a book for adults: The main character is in her 20's. Sex is discussed and alluded to, but never described. The murder doesn't come off as gruesome or graphic. There is a limited amount of swearing.
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
As light and fluffy as a tasty meringue!.......2007-03-11
Twenty-five-year-old Boston food connoisseur, Chloe Carter, would love to spend all of her time dining out at the top gourmet hot spots, and watching daytime TV. But, alas, due to a wacky clause in her Uncle Alan's Will, Chloe is forced to complete a Master's Degree program in the field of her choice, before she can even think about touching her inheritance. Which is how she finds herself in the throes of life as a Freshman in Social Worker school, and participating in an internship program at the Boston Organization Against Sexual and Other Harassment in the Workplace, where she is the only other employee aside from Naomi Campbell (whom she has appropriately nicknamed Braids). As if attending classes three days a week weren't problem enough, the amount of coursework she's stuck with on the weekends is seriously hindering her already unsuccessful love life. After various failed relationships, however, Chloe believes that it's time to throw in the towel. That is, until her older sister convinces her to sign up with an online dating site where Chloe (aka GourmetGirl) meets and accepts a date with someone titled DinnerDude (aka Eric Rafferty), who sounds too good to be true. Sadly, when she meets up with the fellow food lover, she learns that he's just that - too good to be true - and can't wait to escape the portly bore who is not only pompous, but a cheapskate to boot. But escaping this deadly date isn't as easy as she originally thought, when Eric turns up dead in the men's bathroom - stabbed to death. Luckily, while attending the bore's funeral - where his parents seem to have an extremely wrong impression about her - Chloe meets up with a sensitive, sexy chef named Josh Driscoll, who knows the exact way to win her heart - through her stomach. But when she learns that Josh is the prime suspect in Eric's death, her thoughts turn sour. Chloe can't believe that someone as talented as Josh could possibly stab someone to death - even though the murder weapon was one of his knives - and is determined to clear her lover-boy's name before he's locked away in a jail cell - along with his fabulously delicious recipe for Baby Bok Choy Slaw. So, enlisting the help of some of her social work classmates, as well as her drop-dead gorgeous best friend, Adrianna, Chloe turns in her chef's hat for a trench coat, and steps into the shoes of Sherlock Holmes, investigating everyone around her. But, as she gets closer to the killer, Chloe begins to realize that the restaurant industry is more cutthroat than she originally believed, and if she's not careful, the next main course on the killer's menu will be her.
As an avid viewer of the Food Network, and a wannabe detective myself, I couldn't help digging in to Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant's STEAMED the moment I saw it sitting on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. Chloe Carter is a girl whom many will find themselves relating to. A mix between Rachael Ray and "Sex and the City's" Carrie Bradshaw, Chloe's love of food, and relationship problems make her an appetizing character, who is impossible to resist. From page one her discussions regarding guys and food draw you in, and, even at almost 300 pages long, I found myself devouring this first installment in just a few hours. Chloe's slacker ways when it comes to school, and ambition to clear the could-be guy of her dreams of murder is humorous; while her pursuit of the perfect meal leaves even the reader feeling famished. It's obvious that STEAMED falls more into the category of criminal chick lit than mystery. However, for those looking for a light amateur sleuth novel, this is the perfect piece of fiction to wet your appetite. The supporting characters are irresistible - from the make-up artist/model look-alike, Adrianna; to the hot yet unattainable guy downstairs, Noah; and even reaching the depths of Chloe's bizarre classmates, and even more wacky family - and truly add depth to the novel. Chloe is a one-in-a-million character, whose adventures in the culinary, and detective world are spicy, and make for a killer combination. As light and fluffy as a tasty meringue!
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
Stick To TheMalamutes.......2007-03-08
As I have read and loved every Mystery written by Susan Conant, I was very disappointed by her participation
in this trite, albeit "titillating" endeavor. Please Mrs. Conant, do give your loyal fans more of the books in the
genre that we have come to anticipate. My son was the loving owner of a big, beautiful Malamute. He bought
this dog at my urging, and Kobi was loved by everyone who ever came in contact with him. Sadly, Kobi died a
few months ago at the age of 6 1/2 from Bone Cancer. Please more about Kimi, Rowdy and Sammy!!
Average customer rating:
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Graduate Detectives
Jessica E Green
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595673317 |
Book Description
When Georgia college students Karen Johnson, Jordan Whitman, and Monique Anderson decide to profile an ongoing serial murder case for their criminal justice class project, they never imagined their research would lead them down a dangerous path of turmoil, self-destruction, and murder.
Karen, a soft-spoken, southern girl from North Carolina came to college in Georgia to release the shackles her mother clasped around her ankles the day she was born. When she begins collecting photographs of the eight victims, she experiences dreams of the actual crimes, and as she attempts to unravel the mystery of the dreams, she finds herself entangled in her past and ultimately on the verge of insanity.
Jordan Whitman is a tall, dark, and handsome country boy from North Carolina who came to college in Georgia to escape the pressures of a deep, dark secret that he has concealed from his family and friends for most of his young life. When he begins to outline the collected data from each crime, he discovers that all of the men murdered by the serial killer have one thing in common: him.
Strong and streetwise, Monique moved to Georgia to escape the harsh realities of life on the streets of Washington DC. When the investigation leads her into the arms of Jordan, she is determined to do whatever it takes to get him, even if she must sacrifice her friendship with Karen.
Download Description
When Georgia college students Karen Johnson, Jordan Whitman, and Monique Anderson decide to profile an ongoing serial murder case for their criminal justice class project, they never imagined their research would lead them down a dangerous path of turmoil, self-destruction, and murder.
Karen, a soft-spoken, southern girl from North Carolina came to college in Georgia to release the shackles her mother clasped around her ankles the day she was born. When she begins collecting photographs of the eight victims, she experiences dreams of the actual crimes, and as she attempts to unravel the mystery of the dreams, she finds herself entangled in her past and ultimately on the verge of insanity.
Jordan Whitman is a tall, dark, and handsome country boy from North Carolina who came to college in Georgia to escape the pressures of a deep, dark secret that he has concealed from his family and friends for most of his young life. When he begins to outline the collected data from each crime, he discovers that all of the men murdered by the serial killer have one thing in common: him.
Strong and streetwise, Monique moved to Georgia to escape the harsh realities of life on the streets of Washington DC. When the investigation leads her into the arms of Jordan, she is determined to do whatever it takes to get him, even if she must sacrifice her friendship with Karen.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Read.......2006-02-05
"Graduate Detectives" explores the lives of three Criminal Justice college students as each one confronts issues of their past that arise at the launch of their final class project. When Karen Johnson and her best friends Jordan Whitman, and Monique Anderson decide to profile a three-year ongoing serial murder case, they did not imagine that the research would lead them down a dangerous path of turmoil, self-destruction and murder. As they investigate the serial deaths of eight young African American college men, the mystery's of their own lives becomes the focus of their research and each one ultimately becomes a primary suspect in the investigation.
"Graduate Detectives" comprises all the elements of a great mystery novel to create an unforgettable story that highlights two serious issues that afflict the entire African American culture. Laden with intrigue, suspense, drama, and humor, its powerful issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and men living on the "down-low" are sure to capture the audience's attention. J. E. Green has skillfully created a story that evokes the deepest fears of men and women in today's society and delivers a message that silence will kill.
Average customer rating:
- Medical science fiction
- cooool asome todally cool boook for kids
- A pulse-pounding medical thriller that never slows down
- A Page-Turner from an Expert in the Field
- action-packed medical research thriller
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Adrenaline
John B. Olson
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0764228196 |
Book Description
Set in the not-so-distant future, Adrenaline introduces James Parker, a biochemistry grad student who discovers a cure for muscular dystrophy, the disease confining him to a wheelchair. However, the cure that began as his salvation appears to have bizarre side effects that open the door to an existence he never imagined. Darcy Williams, an attractive, intelligent, and delightfully quirky fellow grad student joins forces with James, but it is clear she is haunted by a dark secret. When they publish James's findings, their campus community is turned upside down by something they had never anticipated. Will discovery of the truth be too devastating to face? From the award-winning author of Oxygen.
Customer Reviews:
Medical science fiction.......2005-03-27
This thriller had non-stop action and an unforgettable hero suffering from multiple sclerosis. Parker's brilliant mind is contrasted by his weakened body, making the reader admire him for his abilities and sympathize with him as the underdog.
Clues unfold piece by piece in the drama around Parker's accidental discovery of a possible cure for MS. Olson deftly braids various plot threads together and apart as the story progresses, joining everything together at the end for a satisfying and realistic conclusion.
There is constant danger in every chapter and exciting scenes that kept me up all night finishing this book. The title is very appropriate.
The geek speak is at a minimum. I had no troubles understanding the scientific background of the storyline.
This is an excellent contemporary take on Jekyll and Hyde, with a splash of medical science fiction and an intense portrayal of the protagonists' emotional and spiritual struggles with "wholeness." It is a plot-driven book, but the characters leap off the page and come to life.
I would recommend this book to any teenager, boy or girl, in my youth group, and any adult suspense fan.
cooool asome todally cool boook for kids.......2004-11-27
I thought the book was monsterously awesome. Me and my buds like to have an inner circle reading every tuesday night. This is one of the books that we thought was cool like us. but im the coolest kid i can read the book in one hour. unlike my friend josh he cant read it is sooooooooooooooo coooooool.
A pulse-pounding medical thriller that never slows down.......2004-10-16
Adrenaline is a doubly appropriate name for John B. Olson's first solo novel, for not only does adrenaline hold an integral place in the medical foundation of the plot, the novel itself rushes from first page to last at an adrenaline-pumping pace. The action gets a little repetitive from time to time, but it never slows down. I have to admit that I did have a little trouble settling down into this fictional world of Olson's making. On the one hand, you have a modern-day medical thriller involving the search for a cure to a dread disease. On the other hand, you have a character haunted, either figuratively or literally (you don't know early on) by a mysterious and possibly quasi-human Dark Man, and the streets of this world are sometimes populated by almost surreal drug users of a slightly fantastic nature. Thus, the story resides somewhat uncomfortably in a modern, scientific setting; perhaps this was intentional on the part of the author - it did, after all, force me to think more deeply about these characters and the story unfolding before my eager eyes.
James Parker is a much-heralded graduate student in biochemistry. He is desperately seeking a cure for muscular dystrophy, a disease that not only he, but his sister also, suffers from. Already confined to a wheelchair, James figures he has about four years left to fight, but his sister Jenny is already in the final throes of the disease. Finally, James seems to be on the brink of a breakthrough, as a certain chemical derivative of adrenaline has induced motion in his MC-afflicted test mice. In the throes of hopeful joy, he heroically barrels into a crowd of Glass-heads (drug addicts) threatening a young woman outside the chemistry building, and the mysterious character of Darcy Williams enters his life. Darcy is a difficult character to decipher early on; she is incredibly paranoid, seeing agents of a mysterious Dark Man all around her, refusing to let anyone know where she lives, and keeping all manner of secrets from those who would befriend her. She begins to help Parker with his experiments, bringing along, somewhat reluctantly, a young suitor of hers named Jason. There is a lot of romantic tension between Parker and Darcy from the beginning, one that builds into a lot of "does he like me? - does she like me?" material -almost too much, actually.
Confident that he has discovered a cure but knowing his sister Jenny will never live long enough to benefit from it as it plods its way through years of testing and approval, James violates everything he knows is right and medically ethical and begins testing the drug on himself (despite the fact that the drug caused incidents of extreme aggression in his test mice). It has quite an effect on him, initially setting him on fire internally, causing spasms of immense agony, and similar nasty side effects. It also, however, begins working. In short order, he regains the ability to walk; eventually, he acquires a degree of unnatural strength and agility. He also experiences disturbing nightmares and unsettling blackout periods, often waking up later in the unhealthiest of places and conditions. As the work proceeds, mysterious men begin following our heroes, destroying their labs, attacking them, and seemingly going after the medical secret Parker seems to hold. Although a lot of the action gets repetitive, and one wonders where everybody else in Berkeley is all the time, Olson makes it difficult to figure out exactly what is going on. Is it the obvious? Is it Darcy's Dark Man? What about the fictional professor Jason created in order to publicize the research, a scientist who seems rather well-known for a nonexistent person? The ultimate conclusion is surprisingly satisfying, although I just can't accept a couple of the conclusions I'm apparently supposed to accept here.
James and Darcy are engaging characters you will be rooting for with great enthusiasm. On a few occasions, however, they do or say things that struck me as clichéd or a bit overdrawn, reminding me that this is in fact a novel about people who don't really exist. The action also seems a tad repetitive in places, but these are small complaints on my part. Olson has no trouble whatsoever in terms of pace, suspense, and action. You have to stop and take a breath between chapters because Olson doesn't slow down for a second; he maintains the energy of this story all the way to the end, an accomplishment that is really quite remarkable.
A Page-Turner from an Expert in the Field.......2004-02-25
Adrenaline opens with biochemistry student James Parker on the verge of a cure for muscular dystrophy, a disease that has debilitated he and his sister. In a clever rescue attempt, he meets Darcy Williams, another dedicated biochemistry student.
When Parker tells Darcy about his experiment, she and her overzealous boyfriend Jason eagerly volunteer to assist him with his research. Parker is overjoyed but it doesn't last long when he discovers his sister is running out of time.
He decides that he cannot wait on the normal refinement and testing process that his drug must go through. Influenced by his sister's worsening condition, Parker desperately takes matters in his own hands. Then things really start to go wrong.
Darcy is paranoid and running from someone or something that she won't reveal to anyone. Jason seems obsessed with the possibility of the drug making lots of money and his genuineness is questioned as he witnessed hanging out with some questionable characters. Creatures with incredible strength are creeping up everywhere and terrorizing the college campus, causing massive fear and bloodshed. Eventually all the secrets, schemes, identities and motives are revealed.
John B. Olson is no stranger to science and stories of suspense. He received a doctorate degree in biochemistry and has co-authored Oxygen and The Fifth Man.
action-packed medical research thriller.......2004-02-10
Grant recipient post graduate biochemistry student James Parker is euphoric. Mouse 87, suffering from muscular dystrophy and barely able to move for several months, suddenly is running around like a marathon runner after an injection of adrenaline 355. However, when he calls his mother with the good news, he learns his sister Jenny, who suffers from the debilitating disease like James does, is back in the hospital with a very weak heart. However, something weird has occurred. The metal bars to the cage containing Mouse 87 have been bent and the test rodent escaped.
Still feeling like he is on a natural high, James, wheelchair and all, rescues graduate student Darcy Williams from glass heads. His discovery excites the campus and medical community bringing hope to muscular dystrophy sufferers while James and Darcy fall in love. However, the "Invisible Man," leader of the glass heads wants this incredible find; he increases the assaults on the campus with the prime targets being James and Darcy.
Fans will feel they are on ADRENALINE with this action-packed medical research thriller that never slows down until the bridge forms a final surprising coupling. The story line is at its best when it concentrates on James, Darcy and his sister. Jenny is a role model as never stopped believing that God will take care of her in some fashion. When the plot switches to the Invisible Man, it loses a bit of its momentum though he is the key to much of the adversarial moments. John B. Olson deftly provides sub-genre fans with a fabulous terse tale that will excite readers who will search for his co-authored Martian works.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- As a writer I think Lev makes a pretty good gardener
- 30minutes wasted
- sweet, but hold the ice next time
- hmmm.....
- About nothing, has nothing going for it
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Warp: A Novel
Lev Grossman
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
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ASIN: 0312170599 |
Customer Reviews:
As a writer I think Lev makes a pretty good gardener.......2005-01-06
Pablum He's so cute in his prose it makes you want to kick the cat.
30minutes wasted.......2004-03-08
I received this as an xmas pressie and my copy was put straight into my xmas waste bin. From there it went straight to my local Oxfam shop. Would they dare to put it onto their shelves? Mindless dribble from an author who doesnt seem to realise that she is not the writer that she thinks she is. I would like to ask the reviewers who gave this 5 stars "are you the author or do you know her?"
sweet, but hold the ice next time.......2004-03-06
the book isn't ground-breaking, but nevertheless fun to read. If we really wanted to read ground-breaking stuff we'd pick up a medical journal. we need more one-sitting books and less bible length "page-turners." As for the 30 sec reviewer, let's just say I'm glad he's not doing this professionally. But I gotta say, I enjoyed your column for salon about the amazon experience, keep up the good work, you'll get there. In the mean time, here's 5 for the road...
hmmm............1999-09-20
I thought the best thing about this book were two lines in it. One of them is, "a pack of cards is the devil's prayerbook." The other one, with much more interesting implications than the rest of the text, is this:
"A lie is a blow to the tyranny of fact."
With that line in mind, let me emphatically state that this is a good book. You should read it.
p.s. how in heck did Xanthe get into that house? And who would really want to be sleeping with chicks they've only known for forty-five minutes, anyway?
About nothing, has nothing going for it.......1999-06-24
Absolute unadulterated puerile pap. For such a perilously sleight "novel," this spillage worthy of Onan reads like a much, much longer writing workshop exercise gone metastatically awry. Ill-conceived, poorly executed, and disaffectedly lame ... this is the sort of fiction only someone on the losing end of a bet should be subjected to.
Average customer rating:
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The Alumni Six
J. P. Tacconi
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1412034116
Release Date: 2006-07-06 |
Customer Reviews:
The geology was very interesting........2005-05-19
The geology information was very well done and interesting. I found the book very similar to Nevada Barr's books. The main character is in the wilderness on her own, encounters physical dangers, is badly injured but is able to persevere and is successful in solving the crime and recovering. Too many villians.
A Great Mystery Read That Shouldn't Be Missed.......2002-08-03
Susan Cummins Miller has scored a hit with this one. Frankie MacFarlane, a graduate geologist, is intertwined with the people of Pair-A-Dice, several murders, and the geology of Nevada. This one kept me spellbound for hours and the ending caught me totally by surprise. For a change, this is a totally challenging murder mystery fraught with suspense. Certainly not your run-of-the-mill butler-did-it suspense tale. If you are looking for a great mystery read, try this one. You won't be disappointed.
A gripping thriller, exciting and eager.......2002-04-09
Susan Cummins Miller clearly draws upon her expertise and background as a field geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in writing Death Assemblage, a superbly crafted murder mystery set in the mountains west of Pair-a-Dice, Nevada. When a geologist in the final week of her dissertation fieldwork tries to unravel the secrets of the earth's stones, she becomes involved in a deadly cat-and-mouse game of kidnappings, blackmail, and rampant greed. A gripping thriller, exciting and eager to lure the reader into a labyrinth of human deceit, Death Assemblage is enthusiastically recommended reading for dedicated mystery buffs! Attention Hollywood -- this is the stuff from which blockbuster movies can be made!
A Rocky Thrill.......2002-03-21
Susan Cummins Miller brought me hours of pleasure with her anthology of Women writers, "A Sweet Separate Intimacy". Now she has branched into a new field of adventure fiction with a gutsy geologist named Frankie who stirs up a hot desert town. Thanks Ms. Miller for a great read!
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