Pray and Die

Rating:
Summary: Different, quirky, and I want more!
Review: Jordan Lacey couldn't make it as a policewoman, so now she's freelancing as a private eye in the small south England coastal town of Latching. She sets up shop in an area that's rapidly deteriorating and sells the odd thrift-shop item in-between cases. (She cases all the local charity shops to stock her wares, marking them all Six Pounds.) Jordan has a quirky personality, ongoing trouble with men, a bad case of pollution-caused asthma, and sometimes rubs folks the wrong way. Her initial foray into investigative work, with three cases (one's not hers, but the police can't lock her out) that fold into each other in a clever way, is a fast, funny, downright good read, in an overcrowded field, that of the cozy mystery. (Although there might be more violence here than in the usual cozy... ) Poison-pen letters, World War II intrigue, runaway teenagers, an unusual stepparent/stepchild relationships, a hospice that can't keep track of its nursing sisters...the characters will fascinate and keep one guessing what's going on. I hope reappearing characters will include sexy/morose Detective Inspector James; the pensioner with time on his hands who advises Jordan on rare books; the various worldly-wise ladies who run the cafs and grocery shops and keep an eye on her; and the male parasites Jordan unfortunately attracts, among them the married man she's much too good for. This is a feisty, likable, goodhearted heroine with a spirited, unique personality and odd eating habits who will get under the reader's skin. Stella Whitelaw, we want more! (Please :)

Rating:
Summary: An Original and Quirky Cozy by the Sea
Review: Jordan Lacy is a clever, original heroine, with a quirky approach to life. Suffering with both asthma a plethora of unsuitable men, Jordan approaches her investigative business with the methodology she learned as a police woman, and with an unorthodoxy that leaves the reader grinning. She has a double bed sit, and a box of "props" she uses as disguises, a love for jazz, and a love of cooking, as well as a store front cover from which she sells underpriced treasurers - Jordan is truly an original. When things are not going well, then a trip to the beach or the pier will help. The author does an exquisite job both with the setting and with allowing the reader insight into Jordan. This is a well thought out, and cunningly developed British cozy with heart beating drama on the last few pages. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: An Original and Quirky Cozy by the Sea
Review: Jordan Lacy is a clever, original heroine, with a quirky approach to life. Suffering with both asthma a plethora of unsuitable men, Jordan approaches her investigative business with the methodology she learned as a police woman, and with an unorthodoxy that leaves the reader grinning. She has a double bed sit, and a box of "props" she uses as disguises, a love for jazz, and a love of cooking, as well as a store front cover from which she sells underpriced treasurers - Jordan is truly an original. When things are not going well, then a trip to the beach or the pier will help. The author does an exquisite job both with the setting and with allowing the reader insight into Jordan. This is a well thought out, and cunningly developed British cozy with heart beating drama on the last few pages. Enjoy!