Customer Reviews

Blood & Water: A Pacific Northwest Mystery

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading the reviews on Amazon, I found this book to be somewhat disappointing. It is absorbing; however, the main character's behavior is irritating at times and the ending is not such a surprise.

I enjoyed the first part of this book. Ms Fairweather is a good writer. And then she switches into her Nancy Drew mode and takes more stupid chances(even for the thriller genre where it is understood that you do always act rationally)than I have ever seen. Fran, the surviving sister spends the rest of the book educating the oafish and evil local law enforcement as to all the clues they are missing in the search for her sisters killer, which of course, they think is Fran. When Fran agrees to meet the person(alone, of course)that she believes is the real killer in a remote cabin(where he insists they meet, of course), I finally said "ENOUGH ALREADY"!! How stupid can you get, even in a thriller? Then there is a huge plot flaw. Not to give away the plot, but it is a fact(and the law)that a beneficiary of a life insurance policy cannot collect if he or she is convicted of murdering the insured. Think about that after you read the book. I realize that the "Nancy Drew" syndrome is an important part of certain thrillers and mysteries, even some decent ones. But here, it is carried to unbelievable lengths. I will read Ms Fairweather's next book because she is a talented writer,and with some work, will write books that you won't have to chuckle at. All you have to do is occasionally ask yourself as you write, "would anyone with an IQ over 50, who has ever seen a movie, REALLY do this?".

I thought it interesting that the jacket says a Pacific Northwest Mystery (which is why I picked it up). Obviously, the publishers aren't aware of where the Pacific Northwest is. I seldom read mysteries. They are usually too gross for my taste. However, once started on this book I absolutely couldn't put it down and for me that is quite a lot to say. I found the writing and the story to be excellent and enjoyed the book from beginning to end.

Išm an avid reader of mystery/suspense novels and was delighted to find that "Blood & Water" is one of the best books Išve ever read. Fairweather has done an exceptional job of capturing the awesome beauty and distinctive flavors of the Northern California coast. It almost becomes one of the characters in this tightly woven tale of one womanšs courageous struggle to find her twin sisteršs killer. As the pieces of the puzzle are revealed through confrontations with each of the expertly drawn characters, the emotional intensity escalates. The reader canšt help but be swept up into a whirlwind of intrigue until the very last page. No doubt about itŠ itšs definitely an "E" ticket ride!

This is a fast-paced, well-written mystery that features a hero who could be the woman next door (or me for that matter). Lori Fairweather has written a gem of a first novel--interesting and believable plot, wonderful setting (Mendocino coast), concise and entertaining writing style, and above all, really fun to read. I was hooked the minute I first met Fran, the very likable and very believable hero of this book, and didn't put this book down until I had turned the last page. I can only hope that the author's new motherhood (described on her webpage: lorifairweather.com) doesn't distract her from finishing her next mystery. I'll be the first to buy it.

At a bar on the Northern California coastal highway, the twins met, drink, and argue. Before long in the parking lot, Frances Ann and Sidney Charlotte get into a fist fight before Fran loses consciousness. The next morning, a hungover Fran finds the Black Bay police asking her questions over the fact that her sibling's car had went over the nearby cliffs.

Sid's blood on Fran's clothing along with the public brawl would make Fran a prime suspect of killing her sister.

However, she also is the beneficiary of a $500,000 life insurance policy. Fran knows that she cannot depend on the police to find out what happened because she is their sole focus. She begins her own investigation. She is not concerned so much with clearing her name because she does not remember what happened that night after the parking lot fight. Instead, she seeks the truth wherever it may be found.

BLOOD & WATER is a fabulous amateur sleuth tale that readers will never believe is the debut novel of Lori Fairweather. The story line is taut, exciting, and filled with twists that propel the plot to a brilliant climax. The characters are intriguing and their motivations logical and interesting. Throw into the mix, Northern California, warmly described by the author, as the background. This leaves the audience wanting more novels from Ms. Fairweather.

Harriet Klausner

I've been stuck before by the hype a publisher gives a first time author. This time, however, the reviews are accurate. Lori Fairweather's first novel, Blood and Water, is first rate, one that I wish I'd written myself. The plot moves quickly with enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning the page; in fact, I took the book along with me to the movies last night so that I could read while I waited for the lights to dim, I was that hooked! The characters, too, are richly drawn. Fran is likeable; her relationship with Peter is realistic; her need to know about her twin sister's death is finely crafted--the push and pull of their relationship (as well as the truth about their own father) is temptingly revealed, the way such knowledge might be revealed in real life. Lori Fairweather clearly has a career as a mystery writer ahead of her!

Išm an avid reader of mystery/suspense novels and was delighted to find that "Blood & Water" is one of the best books Išve ever read. Fairweather has done an exceptional job of capturing the awesome beauty and distinctive flavors of the Northern California coast. It almost becomes one of the characters in this tightly woven tale of one womanšs courageous struggle to find her twin sisteršs killer. As the pieces of the puzzle are revealed through confrontations with each of the expertly drawn characters, the emotional intensity escalates. The reader canšt help but be swept up into a whirlwind of intrigue until the very last page. No doubt about itŠ itšs definitely an "E" ticket ride!