Reviews

• I always enjoy books written by this author and this book is no exception. Once you have read one of her books You have to read them all.

• This is , as are most of Elizabeth Peters' books, an intriguing, well-written and most enjoyable read. Her weird but astute heroine Mrs Kirby, whom I thought I would not like, is instead well thought out and both interesting and amusing. I have to say that though I copped onto the cat "clues" quite soon, I was charmed by the story. As is usual with Elizabth Peters' novels, a decent educational background is necessary. It may be light reading, but unintelligent and vapid it certainly is NOT. Five stars, much recommended.

• A few years ago I read an omnibus volume collecting the first three Jacqueline Kirby mysteries. I enjoyed that volume so much that I made a mental note to pick up the fourth (and, unfortunately, last) Kirby novel when my reading schedule permitted. That time finally came and I am happy to report that the book does not disappoint. Like many of Peters' books this one can be enjoyed on a number of levels. As a well plotted mystery it has enough plot twists and red herrings to satisfy most mystery lovers and only in a few instances is plausibility ever in question. It also works as humor; the author clearly was having a good time writing this. It's also an expose of sorts, exposing the unpleasant side of the publishing business. And given that it revolves around the sequel to a famous novel one wonders if there was a not a bit of autobiographical material mixed in. One also wonders how much the fuss surrounding the sequel to Gone with the Wind influenced the book? Was Peters ever in the running for that plum gig? In any event the book is highly recommended. One doesn't really need to read the previous Kirby books to enjoy this one. It is a sequel of sorts to the previous "Die for Love" but the connection is fairly tenuous. The Kindle edition is perfectly formatted. One annoyance that can't be blamed on Kindle formatting was the use, several times, of "shouldn't of". English teachers worldwide must have shaken their heads wearily.

• I have read a few of other Jacqueline Kirby mysteries and I had not read this one. Ms. Kirby is selected to do a sequel of a book where its author disappeared in their own hometown. She meets the woman's family and her friends, but strange things happened before her disappearance. What secrets did the woman have and how many enemies did she have? Can she find the truth? Worth a read.

• great book

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