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Rating: 
Summary: A fun turn in Academia
Review: Ben Reese is my kind of character and Sally Wright is my kind of author. This book was a true mystery - you know the kind, the one that actually relies on the plot and clues to keep it going as opposed to the ones that try to thrill and scare you simply with blood and then all of the sudden they discover the murderer and it's someone you never heard of before? Publish and Perish was a good book. Ms. Wright introduced us to a character that we could like and investigate the clues with and we knew was going to be back to visit (hey, the author was the one who sub-titled the book Ben Reese Series - book 1). All in all, the plot was solid as was the writing and there were enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. The only reason I gave it four stars was the ending - it did just that - end. It seemed as tho my book was missing a few pages because it seemed to end mid-sentence which was the only thing I found wrong with this book.
Rating:
Summary: A NICE LIGHT MYSTERY - GOOD FOR A VACATION
Review: I had this book recommended to me and I would also recommend it, having now read it. The main character (Ben Reese) is human, likeable, unpretentious, and I found him very easy to relate to. He's an archivist, clever, observant, careful, resourceful, exact, and thorough. I enjoyed the setting which was Ohio and England (just briefly) in 1960. The circumstantial comments and "set-pieces" are entertaining to a late nineties gen-xer like myself. The only factor that sometimes disappointed (though not much) was a little unreality here and there. The way chapter 8 ends (car crash) is too easy and un-realistic. I think she could have made the struggle out in the snowstorm more real and intense. He would have been barely conscious I think, unable to stand...but instead he just walks into a room and starts talking to a farmer. Maybe I just read it wrong, though. I appreciated her "clean" writing style and the Christian elements. I'll read the next one...
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: One of the best new mystery series out there. A must read for fans of mysteries! It seems that most of the 'mysteries' on the market today rely heavily on sex, blood, and gore, to keep the pages turning, rather than on the mystery itself. This one, however, doesn't--the mystery and the characters involved in the mystery are the central part of the book. It's a refreshing read.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Investment
Review: Other reviewers have denigrated Wright's writing. It's true: If you're a fan of the modern, hard-hitting, and action-packed mysteries that now abound, this may not be the series for you. Whereas many of the newer writers resort to Hollywood-style scenes and cardboard characters, Sally Wright turns her eye to the struggles of the human soul. She writes about believable characters, taking us into their thoughts and motivations with skill. The dialogue is sharp and attuned to its setting and era; the atmosphere is palpable; the faith issues are real, yet never preachy. Okay, I'll admit that the book did not "grab" me. It didn't take off like a rocket, with this reader hanging on for dear life. It did draw me in, however. I found myself looking forward to these treasured forays into the world of academia. I was left hoping for more insight into the past and future of dear Ben Reese. Wright's stories require investment. For those so inclined, it's an investment worth making.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Investment
Review: Other reviewers have denigrated Wright's writing. It's true: If you're a fan of the modern, hard-hitting, and action-packed mysteries that now abound, this may not be the series for you. Whereas many of the newer writers resort to Hollywood-style scenes and cardboard characters, Sally Wright turns her eye to the struggles of the human soul. She writes about believable characters, taking us into their thoughts and motivations with skill. The dialogue is sharp and attuned to its setting and era; the atmosphere is palpable; the faith issues are real, yet never preachy. Okay, I'll admit that the book did not "grab" me. It didn't take off like a rocket, with this reader hanging on for dear life. It did draw me in, however. I found myself looking forward to these treasured forays into the world of academia. I was left hoping for more insight into the past and future of dear Ben Reese. Wright's stories require investment. For those so inclined, it's an investment worth making.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Publish and Perish has all the basic elements of a good mystery and the setting has some appeal, but this story turned out to be rather flat. The characters are developed reasonably well, but the story line is pretty thin. The only real action or suspense occurs right at the end and only when the murderer is uncovered and confronted by the protagonist, Ben Reese. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it's because this was the author's first mystery novel, but I found it quite dull and uninspiring. I probably would have put it down and not picked it up again if it had been a longer story. Contrary to another reviewer, I find this author has a long way to go before her mysteries can be likened to those of the greats such as Agatha Christie. Maybe the subsequent stories in the Ben Reese series are much better, but I was disappointed enough by this one that I probably won't be checking out that possibility.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Publish and Perish has all the basic elements of a good mystery and the setting has some appeal, but this story turned out to be rather flat. The characters are developed reasonably well, but the story line is pretty thin. The only real action or suspense occurs right at the end and only when the murderer is uncovered and confronted by the protagonist, Ben Reese. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it's because this was the author's first mystery novel, but I found it quite dull and uninspiring. I probably would have put it down and not picked it up again if it had been a longer story. Contrary to another reviewer, I find this author has a long way to go before her mysteries can be likened to those of the greats such as Agatha Christie. Maybe the subsequent stories in the Ben Reese series are much better, but I was disappointed enough by this one that I probably won't be checking out that possibility.
Rating:
Summary: A classic mystery
Review: To my mind there are two kinds of mystery writers. Those who like characters, plot, details, language, science, society, etc. And those who write a book simply to keep the reader turning pages in suspense, waiting to find out whodunnit. Sally is of the first type (not that I was inclined to put the book down as the plot developed). Her characters are round, her plot is intriguing, her prose is enjoyable to read. She is also a classic mystery writer in that she gives the reader the clues so they can solve the mystery along with (or possibly before) the hero does. I found myself going back and rereading passages for clues that had escaped me the first time I had read them. From an interview I read, I know that Ms. Wright is a Christian. This book, however, is not a tract or simple morality play. I am a Christian, and I frequently hesitate to buy books by many Christian authors precisely because they often turn out to be not much more than tracts or morality plays. Ms. Wright is a good writer AND a Christian: her faith necessarily informs her vision as an author. But Ms. Wright also knows that novels are STORIES that are meant to delight and inform; Ms. Wright doesn't use her novel as a pulpit. I'm sure, however, that some people will find it offensive that she allows Christian characters into the world of novel, and that she allows them to be real, developed and "human." Her non-Christian characters are real, developed and "human" as well, but non-Christian characters don't seem to offend so many sensibilities these days (and that is a sad commentary on modern sensibilities!). Her book was a delightful, engaging, informative novel. I know more about the universe after having read it. I "met" people that were real and interesting. I am a richer person for having read her book, and that is the way I ought to feel after reading a book. I will be purchasing more by this author!
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