Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She's gone and dunnit again!, October 7, 2005
I fell in love with THE CLOVIS INCIDENT, and eagerly awaited Pari's new book-THE BELEN HITCH. Well, I am hands down enthralled with Sasha Solomon and think she is one of the most unique sleuths out today. I won't go into the plot, I'd rather not spoil it for you, and besides, other posters have already given you enough clues. Just take my word for it, okay? Pari and Sasha are quite a pair, and they're gonna be around for a long time-which, for all of us-is just great!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A witty who-done-it with the sprinkling of a psychic and ghost for seasoning., August 3, 2005
If you like your cozies with a quirky touch, Pari Noskin Taichert's new book, 'The Belen Hitch', is the book for you. Sasha Solomon is back with her travelling PR work, and this time it brings her to Belen, NM (the first time out she was in Clovis, NM for 'The Clovis Incident', which was nominated for an Agatha). She has a new friend (a very appealing psychic), gets a new beau, and finds a newly dead body to sleuth around and about. Sasha's hallucinations and having her cat speak to her are gone this time out, but she still uses whipped cream straight from the can as comfort food. She hasn't yet started handling her mother's health problems well, but her mother does have a boyfriend who is an absolute gem -- and who calls Sasha, 'Sashala'.
She's been hired to make a recommendation to the Belen mayor about two competing local plans for an old, unutilized 'Harvey House'. We find that artists (who want a gallery) and train fans (who want a museum/bed and breakfast combo) are butting heads over the 'right way' to go. (As an aside, the author is a PR professional and I imagine her books will give good inside info -- and every now and then while reading, I thought 'ah ha', that sounds like a very practical idea.) Sasha's first interview is to be with an artist who happens to be an old friend of her mother's. Instead, she discovers the artist's body and the 'who-done-it' is on. By the book's conclusion, several other people we meet have been threatened or had attempts made on their lives.
Pari Taichert's voice is a breezy, breath-of-fresh-air first person with lots of humor. (My favorite example here is while talking with a local woman who 'knows' the Harvey House's ghost -- and a really quite lovely ghost as they go -- Sasha inquires about which plan the ghost would prefer. Local: 'The bed and breakfast.' Sasha: 'Why?' Local: 'She gets lonely.') I met Ms. Taichert at the 2003 Bouchercon convention and liked her instantly. I've liked her books too and hope to get to read new ones from her for a long time. 'The Belen Hitch' is well worth the read -- and I believe your impressions will bring you to the same conclusion.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Come Visit Belen, October 28, 2006
Traveling PR consultant Sasha Solomon has taken a new assignment. The town of Belen is trying to figure out what to do with an old building in town to attract tourists. Part of the town wants to turn it into a bed and breakfast train museum. The other part thinks it would make a great art gallery, especially since local artist Phillipa Petty has promised some of her pieces.
The thing about Phillipa is that she's controversial. Her art attacks religious figures from all over the world. She also happens to be a friend of Sasha's mom, so Sasha figures this is a great place to start.
However, when she arrives at Phillipa's house, Sasha finds the artist dead. Sasha's mom takes the news hard, and begs Sasha to find out what happened to her friend. Was it the train faction trying to shoot down their competition? Or is their something even more sinister involved?
The plot starts off strong and continues to build. There are so many great twists and red herrings, I wasn't sure what was going on. The writing style brings a dose of humor to the book, adding to the fun. Unfortunately, the ending was a little abrupt for my taste, but it did tie everything together nicely.
The characters help make the book strong. Sasha is charming and human. I love her love interest in this book. Her best friend, Darnda brings a touch of the paranormal to the story. Even the new characters are well developed.
All told, this is a solid second effort. I'm looking forward to Sasha's third case.
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