Set in a small college town in Ohio, this is a tale of the murder of the campus golden girl during the week before Homecoming.  Cy Sweetly seemed to have it all—beauty, charisma, brains, a future of wealth and fame, but there is little sorrow shown for her death.  As Chief of Security Brady Kincaid investigates, other truths about Cy Sweetly begin to emerge and the retired Cleveland police detective finds himself with a plethora of theories and suspects.

Aiding in his investigation are the Carroway cousins, Claudia and Joyce.  Both women grew up in the town and are alumnae of the college and Cy’s sorority; Claudia is now the Dean of Women while Joyce lives in Michigan and has returned for Homecoming.  The two women are a treasure trove of information and useful gossip, including speculation about an unsolved murder of another coed twenty years earlier.

Who was the real Cy Sweetly?  Who hated her enough to kill her and what had she done to cause such hate?  Was it a spurned lover, a jealous wife, an envious fellow student, someone from her past?  And just what was her past?

This is a very enjoyable, well-written story and is full of twists and turns.  Even the title, Every First Saturday plays a crucial role in solving the mystery.  I particularly enjoyed the way Joyce and Claudia are very important in Brady’s investigation but are not actively involved as sleuths.  This is a mystery that’s difficult to categorize—part cozy, part police procedural—but author Bobby Jaye Allen has created an engaging set of characters I hope to meet again.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2002.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2002.
Note: I read all four books by Bobby Jaye Allen and loved each of them.  Unfortunately, I can’t find a website for her or any information since the 2005 publication of the last book.  If anyone can share anything about Bobby Jaye, I’d appreciate it very much.

Roman citizen I might be – indeed I was born a nobleman in my own tribe – but I was also an ex-slave and a tradesman, and the gulf between myself and Marcus was as great as that between me and the bath-house attendant himself. Without the most explicit instructions I would never have dared to come seek my patron here.

In late second-century Glevum (modern Gloucester), a body is discovered in a shrine to the Emperor Commodus, living embodiment of Hercules. The mere fact of the crime is shocking enough, but complicating matters are the facts that the emperor is not one to take sacrilege of his divine person lightly and that the victim appears to be an ambassador from Rome.

Then the body disappears, and there are reports of unearthly wailing and phantom bloodstains.

As the highest-ranking magistrate in Glevum, Marcus Aurelius Septimus is responsible for finding and dealing with  the perpetrator(s) of the crime, but it is his client, pavement-maker and freed former slave Libertus, who assumes the actual task of  solving the mystery. Upon receiving news of the imminent arrival of another imperial legate, Libertus must do so quickly, even as rumors spread through the city that he committed sacrilege against the emperor.

I’ve read several of Rosemary Rowe’s Libertus mysteries in the past year, so it follows that I enjoy them. I do, though not for the mysteries themselves, which I find rather thin. Rather, it’s her attention to historical detail, in particular the incredibly complex nature of ancient Roman society and interactions between patron and client, patrician and ordinary citizen, free and slave, and Roman and Celt, that pulls me in and holds my interest.

As a student of history I’m wary of historical fiction in general because it tends to fall into two categories: those that include every imaginable microscopic detail in the name of authenticity, but fail to produce a narrative structure sturdy enough to support all that detail; and those that throw in a few historical details to make the story seem authentic, but the wildly anachronistic characterizations undo any potential realism. When I do read historical fiction it’s usually set in Britain during the Roman occupation because it falls within the general purview of my historical interests but doesn’t land right in the center of my specialization. That way I can enjoy the story and the efforts at authenticity without being too bogged down by details I know are wrong.

Rosemary Rowe is, in my opinion, the best – as in most authentic – writer of this particular subgenre precisely because of the attention she gives to the way Roman society functioned back then. (For the record, I find Ruth Downie’s Medicus mysteries more enjoyable as a casual reader, but Rowe’s make my inner historian wriggle with delight at the details she includes.) In truth, Rowe loses me with her use of the first-person narration, which has rarely ever not annoyed me in long-form fiction.

Libertus, however, is an appealing and sympathetic protagonist; his efforts to re-establish a relationship with his former wife, with whom he has recently been re-united after they were separated and sold into slavery twenty years before are especially moving. Marcus is likeable as well, in his own privileged and self-centered way; it helps that he occasionally reveals glimmers of self-awareness, in that he recognizes, if not acknowledges, who’s actually driving the cart. Ultimately, it is their relationship and the many challenges they must negotiate in accordance with Rome’s arcane beliefs and traditions about one’s place in society, that truly makes these books worth reading.

Reviewed by Laura Taylor on Beyond the Blurb; reprinted here with permission.

Pepper Martin does not want her current assignment.  It’s the 179th birthday of President James A. Garfield; there is a Garfield memorial at Cleveland’s Garden View Cemetery.  Of course, there will be some celebration of this anniversary.  Unfortunately for Pepper, she has to plan this celebration with Marjorie Klinker, a volunteer with an unpleasant personality and a major jones for Garfield.  Marjorie tends to assume that she is in charge and that she knows more than anyone else on any given topic, and very specifically about James Garfield.   Pepper tries to get out of this, but is not successful.

Somebody else isn’t happy with Marjorie.  Someone else pushes Marjorie off the balcony in the Garfield memorial and kills her.  Pepper has several reasons to track down this killer, and she can be as determined as Marjorie can, if not quite as unpleasant.  Her ex-boyfriend the police detective might disagree, but Pepper isn’t inclined to pay him any mind.

There are a surprising number of suspects, and as many motives.  Pepper has a lot to work with, although the ghost of Garfield is not as helpful as Pepper hoped he would be.  His chief concern seems to be having enough peace and quiet to run the government.

Daniels has quite a nice little series going with Pepper Martin and the ghosts in her life.  Pepper is young, smart, and adventurous.  This doesn’t mean she takes foolish chances, but she is willing to go out on a pretty sturdy limb once in a while.  The background on Garfield is interesting, and fed to the reader slowly and painlessly.  Tomb with a View is an enjoyable read that should hold one’s interest without demanding a great deal.  Take it to the beach, maybe?

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren, June 2010.

A double killing has taken place in the Cambodian community of a town in Washington. Gathering evidence and information from the community is going to be very difficult, given the reluctance of the Cambodians to talk to the police, so Bridget O’Hern is asked to act as liaison.

Bridget is a consultant with the Southeast Asian Assistance Agency and, although her knowledge of the language is limited, she has gained the trust of many of the Cambodians and is familiar with their customs and cultural behavior. Detective Jack Patrewski resists her help at first, considering her more of a nuisance than anything, and his new partner, Consuelo Morales, dismisses her participation.

Interwoven throughout the initial murder investigation is the element of Asian teenage gang activity and their apparent attempts to recruit the children of the murdered couple. In addition, there are hints of illegal activities by some of the leaders of the community. Bridg and Jack must work through the various possible motives of the killings and the people who might be involved while also trying to protect the children, against great odds.

The author has created a fascinating tale, not only in the mystery of the murders, but in the story of the refugees from the Khmer Rouge. To many westerners, the entire Asian culture and history are mysteries in themselves, and none more so than the Cambodian. Ms. Harrington worked for many years with the Cambodian refugee community in the Puget Sound region and her experience and knowledge are readily apparent. The murder mystery by itself is very good and the additional benefit of gaining a little understanding of the people makes this a book that will have great
appeal.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2001.  Slightly revised 2010.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2001.

Somehow, helping vampires catch a rogue of their own isn’t quite what Madison Rose had in mind when she left Boise for L.A.  Apparently, there is a lot more going on in L.A. than most people realize.  The vampire culture is more prevalent than we suspect, and that’s just how the vampires like it.  The vampires are quite happy that there is a large supply of wanna-bes, aching to serve on the off-chance a conversion will be their reward.  They just want people to be discreet.  This is becoming difficult, since someone is killing people in a way guaranteed to draw attention to the culture.

Madison is rescued from almost certain death by two vampires, and ends up working as their Renfield, helping them figure out who is killing people and why.  The Dedhams are cooperating with a policeman, who is working secretly because there is a confessed murderer in custody.  The Dedhams and the detective don’t believe this guy is the killer and they want to find the real one before things get really bad.

Murder in Vein is the first in a new series for Jaffarian; it should do well.  The characters are good, the plot is good, and the vampire theme is quite hot right now.  Madison Rose is a woman with a bit of a past, working on changing her life.  Working for vampires is a departure for her, and it should be interesting to see where this new life takes her.

Reviewed by P.J. Coldren, June 2010.

There are now less than a handful of authors whose hardcovers I will pick up without reading at least to Chapter Two. Emma Bull is one of that handful. She’s only produced a few books in her literary career, but I find her writing to be as finely honed as Damascus steel–with a terrible beauty to match. If I had checked and realized that Territory was a Western, I might not have even read it.

That would have been a big mistake.

Most people who know my book habits would describe me as a voracious reader. If I like a book, I’ll devour it in one sitting. In this case, I took a week to drink in the setting and the people and to occasionally read back.

Territory takes place in Tombstone, AZ, circa 1881. The town is barely in its toddler stage, born of greed and men’s need to find a new life.

Bull’s point of view characters are Mildred Benjamin, a recent widow, who works as a typesetter for the local paper and writes serial fiction on the side. Jesse Fox is an Eastern educated drifter who started out training to be a mining engineer til he discovered he had a talent for horse training. Fox has been told by a Chinese physician, Chow Lung, that he has a gift for magic and should use it. Til now, Fox has postponed that suggestion.

Mildred and Fox both discover there is dark magic afoot in Tombstone. More than one magician is fighting over the land rights. For certain, they know that one of those dark magicians is Wyatt Earp, brother to the Deputy US Marshal, Virgil Earp.

Along the way, we experience Western life firsthand. Ironically, fire breaks out in one of the hotels while the town’s mayor is away trying to purchase a fire wagon for the town. The mining company is fighting folks with claims in town (including Mildred Benjamin) so they can acquire more space. As an aside note, President Garfield is assassinated. News comes via the telegraph–not the ‘up close and personal’ media of the television.

There’s a mystery woven tightly into this fantasy landscape. Characters are well-written and the descriptions literally take you there–to the point of tasting smoke and dirt when the fire first breaks out. The story’s spin is one that’s not commonly told–and an interesting one.  Territory is hard to put down, but I found myself doing that and re-reading a bit earlier than I’d left the book because I actually did want to make this one last. This is one of the best fantasy novels I have read in a long time.

Territory is not the first fantasy depiction of Tombstone, AZ during the OK Corral era. “Spectre of the Gun” (an original “Star Trek” episode) had Captain Kirk and his landing party inadvertently cast in the role of the Clantons and McCourys.

History purists:  Territory doesn’t quite match the historical accounts; however, we all know that history is written by the victors. Clanton (who survived the OK Corral) unsuccessfully tried to prosecute Wyatt Earp and companions for murder. There are two sides to the story and Bull’s version definitely paints Earp with a dark brush.

Reviewed by Rebecca Kyle, July 2007.
Review first published on amazon.com in 2007.

Callie Webber has a job she loves. Experienced as a private investigator and attorney, she is now employed by the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation to investigate the integrity, including financial activity, of nonprofit organizations in which her philanthropist boss is interested. He then decides whether to make donations, often very substantial, based on her
recommendations. Oddly enough, Callie and her boss, Tom, have never actually met but they have developed a strong rapport and a feeling of mutual trust over the phone.

Working for the foundation gives Callie a sense of making a real contribution to society and enhances her faith in Christ. It also keeps her so busy she has little time to dwell on the sudden and gruesome death of her husband although she treasures her quiet times in her home on the Chesapeake. Thus, she is looking forward to returning home when Tom asks her to make one more day trip first, to deliver a check to an old friend’s hunger relief organization.

What promises to be an easy errand soon turns into something a bit more involved. Tom’s friend dies, almost in front of Callie, and it becomes apparent that the cause is probably murder. Tom asks Callie to stay and investigate on behalf of his friend. Unfortunately, it’s not long before Callie realizes her own life may well be in danger and very few of the victim’s family and co-workers can be trusted. Solving this murder may carry a very high price.

A Penny for Your Thoughts is the first of the Million Dollar Mysteries by Mindy Starns Clark. Billed as an “inspirational” or “religious” mystery, the touch of faith is lightly done and comes across quite naturally and unobtrusively rather than being heavyhanded as some religious novels can be. Callie is a refreshingly intelligent and resourceful woman, eminently likable, while Tom is an enigma. Who is this man besides being very wealthy and undoubtedly generous? When will he and Callie meet? What, if anything, will happen when they do?

The author has really piqued my interest with this first entry and I’m looking forward to the next, as much for the puzzles surrounding Tom, as for Callie’s sleuthing adventures. It’s nice to have a new mystery series with a well-constructed plot in addition to good character development, a combination not every author can accomplish.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2002.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2002.

Kaye Berreano is the counselor on duty at Beginnings, a battered women’s shelter, when the fire alarm goes off. Kaye hurries to get all the women and their children out of the building but Mary Ellen, a woman apparently disliked by nearly everyone, doesn’t make it. Early investigations reveal that the fire was deliberately set and Farrell, the police arson investigator, believes Kaye is withholding information.

Since some of the women need to be placed elsewhere, Kaye’s job security is in doubt, at a time when she is going through an ugly divorce and her financial situation is very shaky. The police don’t seem to be getting anywhere useful, even thinking the victim may have set the fire to cover her own suicide, and Kaye begins her own investigation. Unfortunately, since this is a battered women’s shelter, there are quite a few potential suspects among the abusive husbands and boyfriends. In addition, more than one of the women may have had a motive. She’s sure, though, that Mary Ellen did not kill herself. Digging into the lives of these abused women, Kaye finds some surprises and even more questions, about Mary Ellen’s death. Ultimately, she must come to terms with her own life and future.

Most of us, thankfully, will never know what it’s like to live with abuse and what that can do to the soul. Author Christine Duncan has cracked the door to this world just a little bit, with empathy and understanding, through a woman with problems of her own. Kaye’s desire to protect these women and children while encouraging them to break the cycle of pain makes her a woman I’ll look forward to meeting again.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2002.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2002.

Originally published in 1943, this first entry in the Doan and Carstairs series is unexpected in the world of the hardboiled PI novel. As the new publishers explained in their foreword, Norbert Davis introduced humor into this subgenre at a time when authors and readers took their hardboiled mysteries seriously.

Doan, a California private investigator who seems to operate somewhere on the edge of the law, has gone to Mexico to meet with a fugitive.  Accompanying him is Carstairs, an enormous Great Dane, “won” by Doan in a crap game. The truth is, Carstairs calls the shots and no one argues with him, including Doan.

Doan and Carstairs take a rickety tour bus to Los Altos, a remote mountain village. Along with them is a motley collection of other guests from their hotel, including naive teacher Janet, rich girl Patricia, her gigolo, Gregor, her maid, Maria, and the Henshaws with their dreadful son Mortimer. Janet is in search of romance and adventure and is fascinated with the story of Cortez’s associate, Lt. Emile Perona.

After a nail-biting journey, they arrive in Los Altos and land right in the middle of a gunfight between police and bad guy Garcia. More bodies begin to appear, including some of the hotel tourists. Doan seems to be in the thick of all of it and is the nemesis of the military secret police, headed up by Captain Emile Perona, descendant of Janet’s hero. Why are the secret police in Los Altos? Is there a connection between the gunfight and the murders of the hotel guests? Will Carstairs put the fear of death into the horrible Mortimer?

Davis does indeed inject humor into this classic PI story, so much so as to be almost farcical. For those mystery readers who don’t generally like hardboiled, this is the ideal exception and you’ll be looking forward to reading the next in the series.  If you have any difficulty finding it, go directly to the re-publisher, Rue Morgue Press.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2001.  Slightly revised 2010.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2001.