1st Impressions: A Cassidy James Mystery (Cassidy James Mysteries) [Paperback]

Kate Calloway (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cassidy James Mysteries | Publication Date: March 1996

Rookie PI Cassidy James is hired to find a murdered man's killer in a quiet Oregon lakeside resort -- but the town's sexist police sergeant doesn't care to have an uppity lesbian gumshoe on the case. He's keen to arrest the victim's beautiful niece, who has Cassidy head over heels in love -- and in danger. This series, with its tough, tender, appealing heroine and realistic love scenes, is a fresh and welcome alternative to "straight" mystery fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the small Oregon lakeside community of Cedar Hills, Cassidy James is living a life of leisure thanks to her deceased lover Diane's considerable life insurance policy. At the urging of a friend who thinks it will give her something to do, Cass has been training as a private investigator. When Erica Trinidad, a sexy successful romance writer, breezes into town to find her lecherous uncle Walter dead and floating on Rainbow Lake, Cass is ready to take on her first case. With sensitive insight into small-town life and the workings of gossip, Calloway lays out an otherwise uncompelling mystery. While topics such as neo-Nazi teens and issues of intimacy after the death of a lover promise to be thought-provoking, they are handled here with tepid expediency. Most of the information about characters is given in the few lines preceding their introduction to the plot rather than woven into the fabric of the story. Neither the victims of the crime nor the perpetrators show much complexity or depth. And in an odd departure from the traditional literary PI, Cass promptly shares all of her leads with the local sheriff's office, which removes most of the suspense. Nothing is left to the readers' imagination. In fact, the intrigue seems to be a mere setting for the inevitable love scene between Cass and Erica, which, albeit brief, is well-crafted. First Impressions is the debut volume in a new mystery series. Subsequent volumes will hopefully offer more than picturesque backdrops and some fleeting insights into Cass's fear of intimacy.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Naiad Pr; 1st edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562801333
• ISBN-13: 978-1562801335
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent..... plot and character development, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1st Impressions: A Cassidy James Mystery (Cassidy James Mysteries) (Paperback)

There are not many pleasure reading books out there that are geared towards a lesbian/gay audience. It is refreshing to see such a book. I would suggest this book to anyone wanting to read a great, casual reading, mystery book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solving Murders Isnt' just for Dick... Jane can do it too!!, September 3, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1st Impressions: A Cassidy James Mystery (Cassidy James Mysteries) (Paperback)

"First Impressions" by Kate Calloway is a eye opening, mind twisting thriller. As one who is used to the male point of view when it comes to murder mysteries as displayed on televison and such, I found this book written by a woman to be breath of fresh air. The story reads just like a movie and the author's indepth descripton of Cedar Hills, makes me want to move there!! Kate has a way with words that just captured my imagination. When I was reading the book, I found myself trying to solve the case. However, the unexpected twists and turns of the plot was very indepth, detailed and ingenius. I had my suspicions, but the ending surprised me.

I want more!! I loved Cassidy James and the details of her life and loves is even more exquisite than Mike Hammer... at least she doesn't objective women. Everything in this book is well written and I don't see where anyone could be offended by anything in this book. Even if you aren't a Lesbian, this book is a real interesting insight into the life and times of a woman who just happens to love women. So what's wrong with that? This book shows me that women can do anything and live their life empowered by their own vision and insight.

I wanted more... so I just bought the newest issue of Cassidy James and I can't but that one down. Sho' 'nuff Kate has the stuff when it comes to writing mysteries. She has found a new fan in me... I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! A must buy for those who are tired of the same 'ol dry "who done it" by those who haven't done it!! Run to your bookstore and get your copy today... it's a book that you will surely treasure.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good Mystery with a solid storyline!, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1st Impressions: A Cassidy James Mystery (Cassidy James Mysteries) (Paperback)

I am a mystery buff reader and Kate was able to grab my attention and keep me reading. The storyline and characters are all brought to life. The orientation of the main character Cassidy James is not the focus of the book, but an added twist. I look forward to reading the rest of her series!