Customer Reviews

The Bluest Blood (Amanda Pepper Mysteries)

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

 

 

I am a big fan of this series, but this one really ended flatly and was unsatisfying on the whole. Without giving away the ending it is only possible to say that Ms. Roberts was not at her best when she wrote the "woman in jeopardy" finale. It just didn't make any sense at all. The overall sense of dissatisfaction arises out of the protaginist not growing as the series continues. While the relationship between Amanda and her policeman boyfriend does move along, Amanda herself seems stuck in Book 1. It's time for Amanda to find a new job so the author can expand the character and the series.

This book was a delight. The writer can really write--I loved the phrases and language--as well as keep up the pace of a good strong plot. Also the author knows how to set a scene! I'm going to backtrack and read the rest in the series.

Clothes may made the man, but they remake the woman. Amanda had rented a bronze silk evening dress from A-list discards place to go to see how the bigwigs entertain in Old Philadelphia, known as the City of Brotherly Love. Her beau Mackenzie matched her in his rented tuxedo.

They pandered back and forth with a bit of naughty gossip about old Benjamin Franklin. Mark Twain is reputed to have remarked that "in Boston they asked how much a man knew." In New York, it was more important how much he was worth. In Philadelphia, the thing which mattered the most is "who were his parents?" Mr, Roederer's middle name was Franklin, which turned the blood in his veins 'cobalt blue.'

Amanda had led the faculty in gaining support for the grant to obtain materials for the media center. They had received a windfall from a Trust to replenish the shelves of the library. Two of her students, adopted son Griffin of the Roederers and the preacher's stepson, Jake, were best friends.

Griffin's parents were wealthy with pedigrees a mile long and prestige to match their money. They oppose the Moral Ecologists over what books might 'pollute young minds' led by the Reverend who is involking the First Amendment. After the book burning , there is a murder, but not one of the 'blue bloods.'

The beautiful cover has an illustration by Lisa Falkerstern of two classy ladies and one of the two men looks like the movie actor, Robert Taylor.

Philly Prep is as elite of a school as there is in the country. The Philadelphia school accepts students whose veins run so blue, they seem to be a royal purple. English teacher Amanda Pepper is a bit surprised that new money, Neddy and Tea Roederer, were able to buy entrance to the school for their child since it would be easier to hitch a ride on the shuttle than being admitted to the school.

Outside the school, Reverend Harry Spiers (whose son also attends) and his Moral Ecology group protest many books, including some considered to be classics, that are contained in the library. He wants them burned. Apparently the debate focuses between Neddy and Harry, who threatens to expose his adversary's past. However, the dispute turns even uglier when first Harry is murdered and then Neddy is killed too. Amanda accompanied by Mackenzie, her law enforcement boy friend, investigates the web of lies spun by both sides that has led to these violent deaths.

No writer of books today peppers their works with more humorous spins on words than the brilliant and witty Gilliam Roberts. THE BLUEST BLOOD is the eighth entry in the "Pepper" who-done-its and like the previous novels, is fast-paced, cleverly spiced with bon mots that enhance the literary writing while moving the story line forward. Amanda and Mackenzie continue to be refreshing, jocular, and wonderful characters. This reviewer strongly recommends the entire collection for readers who enjoy a humorous but well written mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Having read every Amanda Pepper book, I really must recuse myself from any serious attempt at a critical response to The Bluest Blood. I would prefer if Amanda stayed in the city. The Main Line is only interesting if you can afford to live there. Go back to Atlantic City if you want to leave town. This story is so ridiculous that it feels like the author just had to meet a deadline. That does not mean I didn't enjoy it. Though I prefer having Mr. MacKenzie around for more of the story. The thoughts and conversations, and the writer's extremely accurate and witty take of life in America, Philly in particular, is what makes this entire series so valuable. And if you are a relocated Philadelphian, this is a very inexpensive way to visit home, and not drip steak juice on yourself.

This is the first Gillian Roberts book I've read. After this enjoyable mystery, I intend to read all I can get my hands on...

The blurbs on this book praised the author's witty style, but I didn't find she delivered on that count or any other. This book was an average read that kept me just interested enough to continue until I reached the denouement, when I bailed out. Unfortunately, the end of this book is so stupid that I put the book down with only 15 pages left. Three of the main characters are trapped in a situation where they run around and take heroic measures to escape. They exclaim that there is no phone. However, one of them is a computer nerd, and he has been working on a computer in the room where they are trapped, hooked to the Internet. Anyone with half a brain would get on-line and call for help. Any editor or author with half a brain would have seen this glaring weakness and corrected it before the book was published! I don't think I'll rush to read Ms. Roberts' next product.