Friday, May 27, 2011

Review - FM for Murder

Author: Patricia Rockwell
ISBN: 978-0984479542
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Purchase Link: FM For Murder
Source: Author for Review on a Cozy Reader's Corner


Amazon.com - $11.66
Amazon Kindle - $0.99
Barnes & Noble - $11.69
B&N Nook - $0.99

Synopsis:
Who shot the disk jockey while he was on air? No one saw the killer, but many heard the murder on the radio. Local police are mystified and ask Psychology professor and acoustics expert Pamela Barnes to assist them in investigating the crime. Can she determine who shot the deejay just by listening to the radio station's audio recording of the killing? And how does this crime connect to the impending death of a wealthy carpet manufacturer hundreds of miles away? And the driven behavior of his conscientious son who hides a very important secret? Unknown to Pamela, another thread of this strange mystery is about to unravel. Will she be able to solve it before another victim is claimed? In FM FOR MURDER, the second in Patricia Rockwell's acoustic mystery series, we follow feisty amateur sleuth Pamela Barnes who doesn't let academic duties prevent her from fighting crime. And Pamela fights crime with the tools she knows best-sound waves.

As you read in the interview with Patricia Rockwell, she has 2 plot lines in this story. One follows Daniel Bridgewater, son of Charles Bridgewater – carpet tycoon. The other plot line follows our amateur detective, Patricia Rockwell and her family (husband Rocky, daughter Angela). So late Saturday night, or early Sunday, The Black Vulture (aka Ted Ballard) was murdered on air during his alternative music show. Patricia is asked in to help solve the case because of her background in acoustics. I like that she asks everyone around her to help and tell her what they hear and think, including her students. Her husband Rocky is less than impressed, because he doesn’t want her working in mystery.

The timeline jumps back and forth with each plot line. Daniel’s story starts earlier in the week on Monday. Patricia’s story starts on Sunday morning after the murder. At first I was distracted by the back and forth, but there is such a smooth flow that you easily catch on and it makes for an enjoyable ride.

There wasn’t an over amount of detail given to the setting, which I personally like. You get enough to follow the story without getting stuck in it. Mostly you are either on campus or in Patricia’s home or with Daniel at the office or at Amy’s workplace. This allows the story to move smoothly.

The pace was fairly fast and smooth. I really enjoyed the twists throw in. Half way through the book I thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong. Then I was proven wrong again! It was great! If you don’t win the free book, go get a copy. If you enjoy mysteries you will enjoy this book.

The only complaint I have in the story is the use of proper English in the dialogue. I find that distracting because I would read something that say Patricia says to someone else and all I can think is “no one talks like that…” I would suggest relaxing the writing style just where people are talking, make it more like real time conversations.

I am going to give this book 3 ½ stars. The dialogue really put me off, but overall the story was really good.

Please go check out this entry at A Cozy Reader's Corner and go enter the giveaway for your own copy. Thanks to Tiffany the writer at A Cozy Readers Corner for tossing me some reviews.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Review - Hotel No Tell

Amazon Paperback - $9.98
Amazon Kindle - $9.99
Barnes & Noble Paperback - $12.50
Barnes & Noble Nook - $9.99

The smart and sassy detective Zephyr Zuckerman is now armed and undercover in a Greenwich Village hotel where mysteries—from garbage-grabbing guests to the reservation system—lurk around every corner.

Now working as a junior detective with the New York City Special Investigations Commission, Zephyr’s gone incognito as a concierge to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books—and why. But the discovery of a prone, flush-faced guest gasping for air in room 502 only hints at the sinister goings-on inside this funky establishment. While the rapid response of the fire department leads to a sweaty date with a smooth-talking, rock-climbing rescue worker, Zephyr finds herself even more hot and bothered by an attempted murder on her watch. Could the smart-mouthed Japanese yenta across the hall know more than she’s telling? How are cryptic phone calls from a mysterious corporation linked to the victim in 502?

Under pressure and overwhelmed, Zephyr soon finds that a concierge cover is no protection in a place where crime, like the city itself, never sleeps.

From the Trade Paperback edition.


This book is a fun mystery! I love the character Zephyr, she has amazing friends and family but her love life is a mess. Well a mess of her own creation, as the guy in question is also wonderful. So she attracts great people, but her life is still far from perfect. She has taken until her 30s to finally settle on a career and even in that she has doubts to her ability.

The story has a fast flow, with all the twists and turns a good mystery needs to have. And you won't know the deal until the very end. That's all I'm saying, Daphne Uviller, the writer, hides the outcome so very well. It was funny too, she liked being a concierge and actually considers it as a fall back, or wonders if she had just started on that from high school. lol

It is a fairly short book so it's perfect for the upcoming travel season. My copy was 275 pages, long enough to be a novel, but no so long the story falls apart. Personally I think it was just right, it was never boring or slow.

I see this is the 2nd Zephyr Zuckerman novel, so I will have to find the 1st one. Zepha is my new favorite heroine...right up there with Stephanie Plum.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sunday Stealing - The "You Can't Be Missed" Meme, Part 3

Cheers to all of us thieves!

31. What is your absolute favorite dessert? The Mountain Town Cookie, it's a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie served in the little cast iron pan it was cooked in, covered with hot fudge and vanilla ice cream on top.

32. What can someone do to make you smile, no matter what? fart jokes...I'm a simple girl, bodily humor is ALWAYS funny.

33. What do the hip people think of you? I don't think hip people think of me at all...and do we still use the term hip?

34. What was the last gift you bought someone? Just gave my MIL a scarf I bought at Merchandise Outlet, it was really pretty and light, only $1 but it made her day.

35. What was your favorite class in high school? Accounting, I loved playing with the numbers and solving the problems.

36. How many spouses would be about right? Hmmmm, maybe 2 more...I bet I could handle that. Would especially love the extra income...course I'd have to feed them too...oh never mind! One is plenty!

37. What would you say was the most embarrassing moment of your life? Jesus! I'm supposed to tell you that??? Let's just say it is another jr. high period tale. Ladies - I'm sure you know what I mean.

38. Have you ever donate money to charity? Of course...what heartless worm lives 36 years and has never given a dime?

39. Has porn ever had a positive place in a current or recent relationship? Oh hell yes - I happen to like it and so does my husband so it definitely adds a spark on some nights. (maybe I can move this answer up to most embarrassing?)

40. Would you ever dump the one you're with for someone who makes an obvious play and is MUCH hotter? No, I wouldn't even consider it. I'd take the compliment, but I love my husband, I've committed myself to him and we have kids together. I wouldn't ruin that for anything.

41. Have you ever disowned one of your relatives? Yes, it was my idea to have my mom's 3rd husband adopt me so I wouldn't have to see her 2nd husband ever again. It was a good choice because he's been my dad ever since and actually did a good job.

42. Would you think it's OK to cheat on someone if they've already cheated on you? No, 2 wrongs just make things messier. Either forgive and move on or end the relationship. Creating extra drama won't make anyone feel better.

43. Did you ever consider becoming a teacher? Yes, I even took a couple classes and volunteered at my high school before I remembered that I HATE teenagers.

44. Would you ever give a hitch-hiker a ride somewhere? I have before, helped a guy out when he ran out of gas. It was about to storm, took him to get gas, he even bought me some and then back to his truck just before it hit. So not on a regular basis and definitely not with my kids, but yes I have.

45. Would you ever try fasting for a whole week? Oh no - I like food too much. Although there was some kind of fasting thing where you drink some concoction with honey in it, but I never have found it.
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