VAMPIRES, are they real?

VAMPIRES, are they real?

By Author Roy Murry

I do not believe in Vampires. However, I am reading my second novel which uses them as an important part of the plot. Breathless by Scott Prussing is that novel. I will have a review in one or two days.

A mystic around Vampires started when that undead shell of a human was introduced in the 1800s.  Sophisticated superstition propelled them into the limelight when John Polidori, an English author, wrote The Vampyre in 1819, the first published modern work of its kind.

I must say that what I have read about them has been convincing. The genre has been fortified over the years by professional sources, as they call themselves.

If you are into that genre, my review comes out in two days. It is Some Interesting Stuff.

Get Breathless free on Kindle: http://amzn.to/1oiDpXL

+Vampires +Mystic +Books

    

Google It?

Google It?

Written by Author Roy Murry



I’ll preface this with the fact that I’m 66 years old.

We come to the 21^st Century. I remember when we decided an argument like – who kick the 1955 field goal to win X American Football game? - By asking someone in the know. If that person wasn’t available, we’d find a World Almanac. My last one purchased is the 2010.

In the local pub, club, living room with friends or any place people meet, discussions can get heated over a question like – who won the MVP in any sport in X year.  One person would say one name and another would disagree.

Who has the right answer? And we would ask another person or if it was available, consult The World Almanac.

Yesterday, I was in a bar and the question arose – who portrayed the brother of Maureen O’Hara in the movie The Quiet Man, an Irish tale of love and a family dispute over a dowry. One said Ward Bond and another person said Victor McLaglen.

Words were had. An argument pursed and bets were made.

“Google It!” was the cry. And the answer was googled…   

Bali Rain

Bali Thanh Lot Temple

In April 2011, I went to visit my son in Singapore where he worked with Credit Swiss learning the Asian trade. We took a side trip for his and my birthday. I wrote this on my return to the USA.

Bali Rain 

Bali rain hits with such clean force on high temples that protects their Gods.

Rain comes down everywhere without discrimination cleaning the nectar of their life.

Streets of motorbikes hide under cover.

Rice paddies refresh in all the private property squares.

Plumerias open drinking water.

Many dogs play in the puddles.

I sit and drink my Arrack with ice, garden poolside, thinking, what a beautiful place Bali Rain made.


If you liked this poem, more are published in 'In the Clouds.'

USA: http://amzn.to/2qY11On UK: http://amzn.to/2rBnrW8

Sweet Molly

Sweet Molly Ringwald, the Jazz Singer

We all know Sweet Molly as the lovable girl in the movies Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. She was what part of what they called the Brat Pack, which was a group of young actors that were in films together in the 80’s.

They included Emilio Estevez, AlleySheedy, Anthony Micheal Hall, and Judd Nelson, who starred with Molly in the movie Breakfast Club, another staple of the TV screen over the last few years.

What you may not know is that she is a Jazz Singer. Released April 9, 2013, was her album Except for Something: http://amzn.to/1AiDUYV. I have, and it is enjoyable with Sweet Molly’s voice.

She also has a part in the upcoming Jem: The Movie. Check Molly out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Ringwald for more info.

A Novel Obsession

A Novel Obsession

Written by Jeff Joseph

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

We have all been obsessed with something in our lives, but I hope not with a person. In Jeff Joseph’s A Novel Obsession, you will be surprised with who is obsessed with whom.

Abby, the main character, has a crush on Daniel, who is a world renowned romance writer. She sends a fan letter to him inviting him to speak at her school.

The letter was so overwhelming to Daniel that he had to meet her. It conveyed to him the woman, who wrote it, was so insightful into why he wrote what he wrote. He wanted to know her.

As in all good books and movies, romances aren’t always peaches and cream. Mr. Joseph puts compelling and thrilling events in to action that you wonder if the two will ever meet.

This read will keep your attention. The ending will leave you hanging wanting more. When you do reach the climax, you will be surprised.

A must read for Romantics: http://amzn.to/1qzMbYF

Review of First Date.

FIRST DATE

Love & Regrets
Written by Vanessa Wester

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry


I remember my first date with the most beautiful redhead I have ever met and dated up to and including our High School Prom. Later in college, she found her soul mate and married him, while I was fighting a war in Vietnam.

Vanessa’s FIRST DATE brought back memories of my first time, and it will work for you.  The book is two romantic short stories in one. It is free on Amazon.com today.

Ms. Wester does an excellent job of setting you up for what you would think would happen on a first date. The tension is there between the two participants: the holding of the hands for the first time, the opening of the door by the male, and the inquisitive conversation – He cares for me?

Then Vanessa throws in a factor that changes the dynamic of the first date – another man. Only by reading this quick moving love story will you get the answer.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2hgUM
  

Review of The Trees Have Hearts

The Trees Have Hearts

Written by Mrs. D

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

The wind blows through the trees, and the sound is music to a young girl who had moved into a new home with her mother.  She has a language bearer with the community, but not with nature.

Her imagination brings her close to nature – the three trees in the garden yard of the house she lives in. An endearing relationship amongst them is enjoyed, and the little girl is helped through her daily troubles by the comfort of the trees. She overcomes to her fears with their help.

Mrs. D. has produced an exceptional children’s book to be read to your young ones. She, as I do, recommends that you read to your kids on a daily basis. I believe readers are leaders because they know different ways to complete an endeavor.

This is not a complicated read but should be read to a child up to the age of seven or let them read it at that age. It is quite mystical in nature and has some life lessons in it that we all could learn.

 Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2mYWF

Review of Time to Let Go

Time to Let Go

Written by Christopher Fischer

Reviewed by Roy Murry, author


The way we think and function on a daily basis is who we are. When those abilities decline, changes in our character lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This alteration will affect the dynamics of the environment that is lived in.

Mr. Fischer’s ‘Time to Let Go’ deals with that dynamic within a small family where the husband becomes the primary care giver of a once caring and giving wife Biddy, who has the disease and is declining into her own shell. Walter, Biddy’s husband knows what is best for her.

This is where the ‘What’s best for Biddy?’ comes into play. Their daughter visits because she has a major problem that she feels guilty about - an event at work that could change her life. Conflicts arise over what is best for Biddy.

Walter has his solution and is living it. Hanna and her brother Henrik have each theirs which includes putting Biddy in a home. Only Biddy is left out of the decision making. Each has their merits, but Walter wants Biddy at home in her/his routine. His way trumps all others because it’s his wife for better or worst.

This story goes into the debt of the disease. It’s what one family went through to find the right decision for the better health of the family, which is the health of their loved one Biddy who has her ups and downs. Based on a real family the story, it is written as character driven fiction.

Christopher Fischer wrench gripping story will keep your attention. You’ll be wondering, ‘What would I do in that situation?’ I pray that you’ll never have to be in Walter’s shoes.  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2mO1B

Review Good Sister, Bad sister

 Good Sister, Bad Sister

The Heart of the Staff, Book 1

 Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps

 Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

This delightful tale of yore, if there ever was a place, is presented in a colorful setting. Relatives, families, siblings, and royalty are the same throughout history, even if some of them are wizards, witches, dragons, or birds, as it is in this novel.

In the Phipps’ fictitious land, there is a clear-cut divide between good and evil. One sister is the child any mother or father would love, where the other sister is the one you would like to take out in the woods a hit with the strap. But this is not what you do with a witch that can travel at will through thin air.

The story is about disagreements going back before time began. This family dynamic pits brother against brother, a daughter against mother, and sister against sister. The way they resolve their differences make this fun read.

Now, who do you know can turn his brother into a dragon because he has been a bad boy? Or, when was the last time you heard a sister be jailed in her own kingdom by using wards, whatever they are.

The language HITS on a new but easy to follow vocabulary that won’t hinder your train of thought. You’ll have a few chuckles out of hearing a crow’s wife talk to him about his business and how he’ll get the next meal.

This first book in a series was well thought out, and I recommend it to the fun-loving reader. I enjoyed it much.

Series only Paperback: https://amzn.to/35VrPjb

Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus

Review of
Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus

Written by Allison Hawn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ms. Hawn’s Circus is a collection of well put together little acts formed during her exciting life. I believe that she has learned her life lessons, according to her summaries at the end of each episode after the curtain comes down.

Those experiences came after trials and errors young adults go through growing up. Her writing brings out the funny side and or positive side of the situations she muddles through.

The situations she-devils in are enjoyable to read and seemed to be geared to lessons for the young but do have some universal axioms en-grained. Using comic references to popular and not so popular characters and events, she gets her points across colorfully, bringing the reader to a pause where they will contemplate what just transpired.

Funny most of the time, but sad in some instances, Allison tells it like it is in her writing. She doesn’t hold back any punches. She gives her interpretation of what transpired in her life.

This is not a book to read at one session, but a collection to be read one story at a time. The reader can go back many times for a laugh.

I have earmarked a few for reread, a laugh, and reference in my storytelling.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2w4mwwF

Review of Wrong Place Wrong Time

Review of Wrong Place Wrong Time

Written by David P Perlmutter

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

When we were young, our thought processes sometimes got confused either by lack of knowledge, by our emotions, or by some drug-induced states we put ourselves in. It was our up bring that brought us back to reality and got us through those befuddled state of affairs.

In Mr. Perlmutter’s Wrong Place Wrong Time, David is just about to mature into an executive with all his future laid out for him. Working hard in a profession he enjoys, an error in judgment he makes leads to the disruption of that life, leaving him on the outside looking in.

To comfort himself, he goes to a Spanish resort area to get away from it all and to reorganize his thinking, looking for a new future. All is going well for a short period of time until more conflict enters his life. What is one to do – go with the flow even if it is not where you want to go?

David does that but lands where no one wants to be in a foreign country – on the wrong side of the law because he thought he was doing the right thing. And no one was listening, other than his family back home.

This true story by the author has some misadventures to get into detail. What I will say is that David did the right thing in coming clean with his family, thereby freeing him from any guilt and allowing him to go forward with his life albeit not being a rosy situation.

The story was well written and gripping. It was somewhat of a cliffhanger at times that the reader will keep on going until the end. Good job for David P. Perlmutter’s first endeavor.

I have also read his My Way and got some great tips on marketing a book on the internet. Thank You, David. We have many of the same friends.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QbVEpz

Review of What It Takes

Review of WHAT IT TAKES,

Author Terry Tyler

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

“Love goes by haps; Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps” Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing. 

Ms. Tyler’s contemporary drama weaves an intellectual story of love on many different levels. Some are common and up front and others are hidden behind the masks people use when courting the person they desire.

Deep seated emotions motivate the main character’s mating rituals. Karen, the youngest of three sisters, is looking for her ideal man, but falls for a common man, who doesn’t quote Shakespeare. Doubts run a muck in her over educated head with underdeveloped security issues, which leads to a break up.

Her lover, Danny, one good looking bloke, is broken up over the matter and tries his best to put their love affair back together. He and all the on-lookers can’t understand Karen’s attitude.

His strengths are not what she is looking for. She is looking for the perfect image of what she wants and he may be closer than one would think.

This is where the underlying current takes over the story that will keep the reader wondering what is going on. Will they get back together? Both hope they will at different times in their break up, giving each some comfort in that they may return to their loving ways.

But is cupid shooting arrows in the wrong direction or are there traps being set to control the situation. You’ll only find out by reading What It Takes, a well written relationship drama.

If you looking for a romantic drama that will keep your mind entertained with emotional twists, I recommend this novel for a weekend read at the beach.

See Terry's interview with links below: http://bit.ly/1gMlQ0z

Review of FRENZY

Review of FRENZY,

A Daniel Jones Story

Written by Mark King

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” And he did this in the beginning.

In Mark King’s novel, we find a young man, Daniel, and a young woman, Gwendolyn with her elderly friend Mary, living in a state of wildly uncontrollable activity in the beginning of a new world order ruled by a god of another kind. This came about because Daniel is a wanted man by controlling despotic creatures, who govern the world with overpowering weaponry and Utopian lies – at forty years old you will be given your rewards for following our rules.

Living in a peaceful agrarian society, Daniel uncovers a secret about the Lords of the world and breaks one of their commandments. Punishment is death.

Running from those rulers, he meets the women dual who change his beliefs of what the world is, was, or should be. The adventure begins and where it ends depends on their endeavors.

A fast pace read, FRENZY, is a different kind of dystopian novel, in that the human element is fully accentuated. Humans are treated as spirits. Example: The ruler’s hunters capture and are ready to kill Daniel’s group. He and Gwendolyn overcome them; and Mary convinces them to let the hunters live because they are human, albeit misguided.

This novel is an excellent beginning of a man’s journey to freedom. The reader has an ending that entices him into Daniel’s future adventures.

Lastly, Mr. King’s imaginative immaculate prose was a pleasure to read.   

Review of STEPS TO HEAVEN

Review of Wendy Cartmell’s

STEPS TO HEAVEN

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ms. Carmell’s writing kept me involved with the events of the first in her series: A Sgt. Major Crane novel. It would seem to some that the novel was a military war story, but it isn’t.  

This novel is an after the war entanglement where a military police detective, Crane, has to unravel a deadly problem - the physiological effects of soldiers returning from war in a state of vulnerability. ‘Not a whodunit, but a why did they do it,’ is the premise of Crane’s investigation.

When one soldier murders in an unorthodox way, Crane wants to follow after the why, but his Commanding Officer delays the investigation. It happens again and then another time at other military posts. Crane is now given the go ahead to find out the reason why a veteran could do what he did to another family member.

This is a detective story with a military background and red tape influences of both the military and civilian authorizes. Sgt. Major Crane, a hard nose senior investigator, wants to get the religious manipulator who he thinks provoked the crimes against veterans; and dam the rules that are slowing up his investigation. His mindset, not others, rules the day in the end at a high cost.

Ms. Cartwell’s novel is a plausible contemporary murder entanglement that detective lovers will enjoy. Her characters come across as humans not super intelligent spoofs. They have lives interwoven into the story that military police officers have to contend with. This novel has a thrilling ending to boot.

Wendy’s interview is below: http://bit.ly/1bFrynH

  

                 

Review of Deadly Attraction

Review of Neil Low’s

DEADLY ATTRACTION

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

When it comes to a good moving detective story, I look for a fast moving adventure into the lives of the ones doing the detecting and the mysteries they are trying to unravel. Neil Low makes that endeavor entertaining, expounding on all the emotions.

His story is simple: women found dead and someone did it but whom? This is where the fun begins. The fun is not the violent act but in this case - the attractions. It’s in the DEADLY ATTRACTION of a man against women and the attractions of the two detectives unraveling the details of why the woman is dead.

Because of the woman’s attraction to a man with a questionable background, she meets her maker at an early age. Mr. Low’s Vera and Alan detective couple’s attraction to each other becomes a deadly factor towards the thrilling end of this whodunit.

Seattle is Mr. Low’s home where he works as a police officer and is the reason for that city being the background of the novel. I’ve found that’s good to write about what you know. He knows Seattle, and from what I read in his books he is an excellent detective.

Using simple prose, Neil has his characters Vera and Alan giving each other humorous, loving jabs. With the help of police detective Ben, they go about solving two cases that clash at the end into one, on a tugboat no doubt.

If you like a good moving fun-filled thriller, DEADLY ATTRACTION should be in your Book to read list.    

Purchase: http://amzn.to/1IuRti3

Review of SAVAGE PAYBACK

Review of SAVAGE PAYBACK

Written by Seumas Gallacher

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Action packed is what I call SAVAGE PAYBACK. With revenge in his mind, an ex-SAS agent puts into motion a crime wave the leads to the theft of a major jewelry district and the death of a many good people.

This thriller keeps you trying to stay ahead of ISP, International Security Partners, and Interpol’s endeavors to curtail or eliminate the vengeful perpetrator and his paymaster, who wants ISP destroyed man by man.

There are enough moves made based on greed and payback by the participants that the reader will be entrenched in the story.

Mr. Gallacher has presented his followers, of which I’m one, with an excellent follow-up to other ISP novels that reveal what may be happening in the world of international crime – human, drug, and the diamond trade. He takes the “What if?” and makes it seem plausible.

Do the governments of the world have their own outside groups to take care of business like ISP? If they don’t, is one needed? In this and other novels with ISP being the enforcer of the law, using unconventional means, the job gets done. And, Mr. Gallacher makes it entertaining with little melodrama.

SAVAGE PAYBACK is a quick read. I read it in one sitting last night while on my sick bed. It kept my mind on the story and not on my flu. I’m better for it.     

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2ls6M

Review of Orion's Belt

Review of Orion’s Belt,

Birth of the Hunter

Written by John Peter Ferris

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Another super hero is born in one Johnny Orion, Mr. Ferris main character. He is an endearing ex-Navy S.E.A.L., who, because of his physical and readiness abilities almost dies in saving another’s life.   

At the moment of his demise, Orion is brought back to life, using super biological technology never injected into a human. As with Superman, his strength and new persona develop into an action figure.

He has an incredible support team, mostly his ex-Navy cohorts and a medical research corporation to support his endeavors of fighting evil where it may appear.

Mr. Ferris has put much thought into this first book of a series for futuristic and adventure readers to enjoy. His detail is immense and at times overwhelming, but worth the involvement. It’s the basis for future Orion adventures that needs to be outlined.

Orion’s Belt is an easy to read story of good over evil. Good doesn’t always overcome, but Johnny Orion and his A-Team will fight off any enemy of those in the right.

The other main characters have their strengths and help propel the story along when they’re sent to save New York City from an attack, but it is Orion who saves the day.

If you like super heroes and their adventures, this series is for you. Mr. Ferris has found his niche and will shine.

http://



amzn.to/1niyQ2s

http://amzn.to/1niyQ2s

Review of Prince of the City

Review of Mackenzie Brown’s

Prince of the City:

     The Cat’s Whiskers

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Bombs are dropping, people are dying and missing, animals are roaming the city of Liverpool, England during World War II. This is the background for the start of Mackenzie Brown’s thrilling series, featuring the great-grandson of an African prince, Vic Prince.

A fast pace introduction into his new series, Mr. Brown places his character in a world of suspense that begins with a lost cat of a wealthy client and the missing son of another. Brown leads the reader on the trail of adverse events that keep him interested.

This novel is easy to read the adventure. Vic Prince tells his story introducing the reader into an international crime world of interesting characters. Hitler’s troops are planning the takeover of Europe, while the day to day living in fear surrounds and intertwines both of Vic Prince’s cases.

It’s a good beginning of a series that keeps the reader awake and interested. Mackenzie knows how to lead the reader on to his story’s twists and turn. And he leaves the reader hanging on the edge with no other choice but to purchase book #2 in this full read. Purchase:  https://amzn.to/359kxaY

Review of Crossroads

Review of Mary Ting’s

Crossroads

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

What would you give up for your soul? Love?  Ms. Ting weaves a young adult romance story where the heart and soul come into question in the main character’s life. Turning eighteen, in its self, is a moving event for a young lady.  

Claudia, our protagonist, after a traumatic occurrence, finds herself in another reality or in a dream. In this emotional limbo, she is confronted with answers to her questions that are in conflict with her understanding of reality.

Some of those questions are answered, but will love win over reality. The young have no fears when it comes to love, but reality always seems to set in at some point of time.

Ms. Ting has written an interesting adventure into the unknown, leaving the reader with enjoyable contentment and wondering what will come next in the series. You will want to read on and that means getting the next book in the series.

Well written, as always, Ms. Ting understands a young adult’s demeanor and puts it on the page. It was a little difficult for me at age 65 to understand at first, but I can see how a young lady will enjoy reading this somewhat mystical and dream like novel.

It’s a fine Christmas or anytime gift for the young women in your life. She will learn from the main character’s questions and the answers that are given to her by her Guiding Angel.  It’s leave one thinking.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsBook

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryTing

Review of Ado in the Meadow

Review of Ado in the Meadow

Written by Mary Danino

Reviewed by author Roy Murry

In the meadow, there is much going on. Young animals frolicking doing their thing, which is nicely illustrated in Ms. Danino’s story of a youngster who is gathering some fruit for his friends.

He is different from the others because of his natural persona that his friends love. However, the adults have a problem with some of his frequent disruptions to the meadow. And, this is where the Ado begins.

The animal (Child) is placed in a position where doubt festers in as to its existence as to who he is. This produces the child’s reactions. 

Mary's simple prose repeats these reactions with illustrations, which when read out laud will bring a smile to a 3 – 5 year old listening to your voice.  This book, I believe is to be read to a child the first time around or many times.

Ado’s main character redeems himself to the adult animals by saving the day. His friends were not surprised. The adults had to agree that he is a friend indeed and should stay in the meadow.

The combination of sound bites repeated and the illustrations makes this an enjoyable read with your young ones. Also, there are morals within the paragraphs. Christmas is around the corner; and I believe a book with illustrations of animals is always a good choice as a gift for a child.

Try this one, which I have read out laud twice. Cute. 

Mary's links are in her interview below: http://bit.ly/1hXICr1

Review of The Dragonfly Door

Review of The Dragonfly Door

Written by Margaret A. Millmore  

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The story told by Ms. Millmore, in her novel The Dragonfly door, is one of true fiction. She has stretched the reader’s imagination, bringing them to the edge of reality with a thrilling story that keeps you reading on, and on.

Each time the door is opened or closed a new twist is brought to light. Traveling with the speed of light in and out of the door, the main character learns more about why he was placed on earth and how his life has an effect on those that follow him after he makes a decision.

A conundrum, we all try to solve on a daily basis is how what we say to our children will affect their lives and our future with them, is placed in question. In her tale of the unknown, that gap is bridge and revealed somewhat.

This revelation presents eventful situations for the main characters where they meet the future. One of their own, in the present, has contaminated the world with a virus, leading to why one of the doors was opened in the first place.

You may be confused at first, but Margaret brings it all together with exciting prose, beginning with a man who is put in a psychiatric ward to the acceptance that that man and his mission is needed to save the world in the future. But, he is a lunatic. Or is he? You’ll have to read The Dragonfly Door to find out.

This novel hits all the right buttons: entertaining and gripping. A fine read over three or four sittings.

eBook link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FL572Q4

Review of The Murders at Astaire Castle

Review of 
The Murders at Astaire Castle

written by Lauren Carr

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Intrigue and fun are the words that describe this whodunit novel by Lauren Carr. She takes mystery to a different level that one gets entertained while trying to find out who or what is doing the killings in this tourist town.

‘The Murders’ is the right beginning of the title. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose count, as I did. The chain of events will come to a conclusion that the reader will understand, after Ms. Carr’s main character Mac Faraday and his support team, including Gnarly his German shepherd, uncover the villain.

The crimes are gruesome and non-link able as one may think. They do have one link and that is the personage that had lived and died at Astaire Castle. Is a ghost, a werewolf, a wolf man, a man or a woman the culprit? You’ll have to buy the book to find out.

Ms. Carr’s writing is fun to read if you like having an animal take over the scene. In this novel, likable and unlike able animals take over most of the scenes other than the investigative police work .

Your emotions will be played with in a good way and you’ll have a hard time picking out the criminal, because it’s a shape shifter according to a wolf man. There are also low key love entanglements. Ms. Lauren Carr draws you in; like I just did.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Carr/e/B001JP4F0Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1360868874&sr=8-2-ent

Review of Playing with Poison

Review of

Playing with Poison

By Cindy Blackburn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The one behind the eight ball has the ability to end the game when playing straight pool or for you Europeans pocket billiards. In Playing with Poison, the sleuth protagonist Jessie has the ability to end the game on a positive note by calling the right pocket.

However, she is put behind the eight ball, figuratively speaking, when a friend’s lover stumbles into her apartment unannounced. He says Jessie’s friend’s name and drops dead on her couch.

The novel starts with that shocker, but continues on, in a light hearted and humorous pace, as Jessie and her new detective friend Captain Rye proceed to find the killer. Of which, Jessie Hewitt, aka Adele Nightingale novelist, is one. How ridiculous, she mentioned to Rye, who has taken her couch away as evidence.

There is a cast of characters who wanted the dead-man dead, but only one did it. Jessie, who won’t let the police do their job, runs them all down to the anguish of Captain Rye.  Sarcasm and sexual intrigue enter into their conversations and non-conversations relating to the case.

Ms. Blackburn’s, first in a series, novel pleasantly entertains as her sleuth investigates using Jessie talk. The language of her romantic novelist character Jessie Hewitt is witty, direct at times and sarcastically on cue. Dialogue is what propels this mystery forward.

It’s interesting, that when Jessie misses putting the eight ball in the pocket, the crime is solved by her and her new acquaintance Wilson Rye, at the same time, from different points of view.  The ending is not what you’d expect. You’ll have to read it to find out.

Ms. Blackburns’ link www.cueballmysteries.com