Rating: 
Summary: Hole-in-One!
Review: Roberta Isleib hits it straight with her debut mystery, Six Strokes Under. Protagonist Cassie Burdette is on the verge of leaving her hometown of Myrtle Beach to attend Qualifying School for the LPGA Tour when she makes one last visit to her psychiatrist before she goes. Following the appointment, she comes upon the body of the shrink in the next office and immediately becomes a suspect. Too curious to keep a low profile, Cassie gets caught up in the investigation, which involves another hometown female golfer, Kaitlin Rupert - it's her shrink who was murdered - and her recovered memories of sexual abuse by her father. Isleib sends both golfers into a doozy of a bunker as the investigation and the murderer follow them to Q-School, where they really should just be focusing on their games. As Q-School progresses, Cassie re-connects with an ex-flame, puts up with distracting advances from Kaitlin's brother, and stares down the pressures of high-stakes golf, all the while engaging in her own brand of amateur sleuthing -- especially when she comes across another body. She gets help and moral support from friend and caddie, Laura Snow, as well as golf psychologist Joe Lancaster. Although Six Strokes Under takes the reader deep into the world of the women's pro golf tour, it's not just for golf lovers. There's a glossary of terms at the beginning of the book -- an absolute necessity for golf dummies like me. Isleib, a clinical psychologist, is at her best when she's working the psychological angles in golf and in the lives of her characters. As a main character, Cassie's got a sharp wit and a lot of heart. I'm looking forward to following her golf career...and keeping score with the bodies she finds along the way.
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait for Isleib's next!
Review: Roberta Isleib's debut novel, SIX STROKES UNDER, marks the introduction of a great new talent in the mystery field. Cassie Burdette is a spunky, intelligent woman with baggage - difficult relationships with her parents, failed and unrequited love affairs,and dreams never realized. She has decided that she will make her one and only stab at making the LPGA tour despite the odds against her. Before she leaves for the tournament (Q-School), she stumbles upon a murdered psychologist who just happens to be the controversial therapist for two of her competitors. As Cassie tries to compete for the chance of a lifetime, she is dogged by the police, her past, and an ever deepening mystery surrounding the small group of young, ambitious golfers. I could not put this book down once I started it. Isleib writes extraordinarily well, with sentences that flow and characters that engage. Although at times I questioned Cassie's and the police's logic, the story and the characters have the solid, believable feel of reality. The pacing is impeccable - never slow, never rushed. Despite the label above the title that proclaims this "A Golf Lover's Mystery," this book should appeal not only to golfers but to all who love a good mystery. Readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in a promising series.
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait for Isleib's next!
Review: Roberta Isleib's debut novel, SIX STROKES UNDER, marks the introduction of a great new talent in the mystery field. Cassie Burdette is a spunky, intelligent woman with baggage - difficult relationships with her parents, failed and unrequited love affairs,and dreams never realized. She has decided that she will make her one and only stab at making the LPGA tour despite the odds against her. Before she leaves for the tournament (Q-School), she stumbles upon a murdered psychologist who just happens to be the controversial therapist for two of her competitors. As Cassie tries to compete for the chance of a lifetime, she is dogged by the police, her past, and an ever deepening mystery surrounding the small group of young, ambitious golfers. I could not put this book down once I started it. Isleib writes extraordinarily well, with sentences that flow and characters that engage. Although at times I questioned Cassie's and the police's logic, the story and the characters have the solid, believable feel of reality. The pacing is impeccable - never slow, never rushed. Despite the label above the title that proclaims this "A Golf Lover's Mystery," this book should appeal not only to golfers but to all who love a good mystery. Readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in a promising series.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar Series
Review: Six Strokes Under is a real winner. You don't have to be a golf fan to enjoy learning about Q-School and how an aspiring golfer pursues her dream. The golf background is blended seamlessly into the story, and the mystery is a page turner. The protagonist is a likeable heroine who readers will root for all the way. The author also makes use of her psychology background, helping the plot and characters to ring true. The Cassie Burdette series is a unique mystery series to keep an eye on, and is different from the other mystery series on the shelves. Golf fans, be sure to add this to your bookshelf, and if you don't like golf, you'll enjoy learning about something new.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar Series
Review: Six Strokes Under is a real winner. You don't have to be a golf fan to enjoy learning about Q-School and how an aspiring golfer pursues her dream. The golf background is blended seamlessly into the story, and the mystery is a page turner. The protagonist is a likeable heroine who readers will root for all the way. The author also makes use of her psychology background, helping the plot and characters to ring true. The Cassie Burdette series is a unique mystery series to keep an eye on, and is different from the other mystery series on the shelves. Golf fans, be sure to add this to your bookshelf, and if you don't like golf, you'll enjoy learning about something new.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun...a great gift!
Review: Whether or not you're a golfer or a mystery reader, you're sure to enjoy this book as I did! Great writing, creative plot, characters you care about, humorous observations (watch for the "freshness expiration date" line...not many people would think of this!) And the best part is that the ending is not only a nifty surprise but it makes sense so you're not left scratching your head in bewilderment! The day I finished it, I loaned it to a friend. I am neither a golfer nor a mystery reader and I'm already looking forward to this writer's next book. Go ahead and get this book...indulge yourself or someone you like!
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