Shiveree (Eclaire Mysteries (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: What Happened to the Ending?
Review: I agree with the reader who thought the last chapter was missing. Chapters towards the end of the book where the alibis of all the characters are set forth at length could have been sacrificed to find Claire and Dan opening Christmas gifts and/or if the newlyweds enjoyed their honeymoon, etc. The first book of this series was excellent. Love Claire and Dan. Subsequent books seem to be going downhill.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing ending
Review: Knowing I would not get another installment of Claire and Dan's exploits for a while, I savored Shiveree, drawing it out over several nights. Dunbar's trademark prose is still here, her characters as quirky and delectable as ever and Dan and Claire are still steaming up the pages in between hunting for clues in the latest murder investigation.

What kept me from awarding Shiveree 5 stars is the ending. Not that the reader isn't left guessing until the very end, not that Ms. Dunbar hasn't thrown in a slew of red herrings. The book just ---- ends! It's almost as if there is a chapter missing. I was quite let down, expecting a neat wrap-up, some cozying around the Christmas tree with Claire and Dan, maybe getting to find out what was really in the gaily wrapped packages. Maybe learning something more about Charlotte and Foley. But, nothing! I'm not happy.

Ms. Dunbar, you really need to do something to correct this. We need another Eclaire mystery ASAP. Please don't leave us Claiborne groupies behind.

Rating:
Summary: Better than all the rest
Review: This the fourth title in Sophie Dunbar's Eclaire Mystery Series.

Ho, Ho, Ho, someone has been naughty and I don't mean in the way Claire and Dan perceive naughty. When Dan and Claire's friends Charlotte and Foley decided to marry on Christmas Eve everyone shows up the event, including the ex-wife. Poor Daltons meet up with rich Daltons, artists, who are also guests, put on a show all their own. The brides mother is wants a true-to-form baptist minister for the wedding, but Dan provides one with a little extra spirit in him. I had to laugh at Ms. Dunbar's characterization of Claire's maid, it is hysterical. Oh, did I mention the panty raid lead by Dan?

I found this one to have a strong plot with plenty of suspects and twists and turns - I think it's because of all the strange wedding guests. This has been the most impressive mystery I have read in the Eclaire Mystery Series. Readers can expect this one to be just as titillating, humorous and colorful as Ms. Dunbar's past mysteries.