Customer Reviews

Cypress Nights (Bayou Books)

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

 

 

This book is awful. What a mess. The "plot" is meandering and makes no sense. The characters are one deminsional. The Roche/Bleu (who comes up with these names???) plot line feels like it started in the middle; like I missed 4-5 chapters. And Madge/Cyrus? Puuuleeeese. Who can believe this. And when the killer is revealed it's just stupid. Makes no sense (oh wait I probably said that already). Sorry, but I can't recommend this to anyone. Thank goodness I got it out of the library and didn't waste my money on it. Cameron's books blow hot and cold for me. But after this, I don't think I'll bother with any other of her books. I would give it NO stars, but I had to rate it something.

Cypress Nights was not one of my favorites from Ms. Cameron. I liked her earlier straight mystery suspense. Parts of this one were too predictable with Father Cyrus and the gossippy housekeeper and her husband, the tale starter. Also, if Wazoo is a physic why does she have no idea about the strange goings in the bayou with boats and sand bags? Dialog was somewhat choped and simplistic at times. I really liked her earlier titles Target and French Quarter much better.

I think I might not have bothered with this book if I had read the reviews first. Thank goodness it was a library book, not one I purchased. I plodded along, then put it down, then picked it up again and finally skipped a lot of it to reach the end. I didn't realize it was part of a series, but kept thinking the situation with the priest and his secretary sounded familiar. For the woman who wanted more of the story of the priest and his secretary, she should read "Judged by Love," a 2004 biography of William X. Kienzle, the former priest who wrote the Father Robert Koesler mysteries. This was written by his wife, Javan Kienzle and is a beautiful story.

I love this series! I love all of Stella Cameron's books and this was no exception. Can't wait to read more about Madge and Cyrus!!!

The residents of Toussaint, Louisiana are rightfully upset and frightened to learn someone was murdered in St. Cecil's Church. Soon afterward the fear factor turns stratospheric, as more people die. The divided community knows the homicides are connected to the new school and teacher Bleu Labeau.

Over the edge over the deaths, Bleu also realizes she must be the target too of this serial killer. However, it is her feelings for her self anointed protector Dr. Roche Savage that frightens her most and not just because she mistrusts herself when it comes to men; she has learned that everyone who has been killed was his patient.

Fans will enjoy the return to Toussaint (see A MARKED MAN and A GRAVE MISTAKE) with this fast-paced serial killer thriller. The key to CYPRESS NIGHTS is the lead couple as she has to decide whether to trust her heart or the circumstantial evidence; a wrong choice by Bleu probably means death. However, Stella Cameron never takes her eyes off the ball as she uses the romantic subplot as support to the prime murder mystery. Ms. Cameron's fans will enjoy the steamy nights in the bayou where either love or murder occur.

Harriet Klausner

I've read most of Stella Cameron's books and I've seen a downward spiral over the last few. The characters are not even interesting at this point. There's no real connection. You are just introduced to two people and you know they will get together whether there's any chemistry or not. As for Father Cyrus and Madge, I used to look forward to all of these books so I could see what was in the pipeline for these two; however, there's no real progression of the relationship and now it just bores me. I don't know if I'll even bother with the next book. This reminds me of how Janet Evanovich just started phoning in her books. It's such a shame when authors let their readers down so much.

I'm on page 100 of this book and still could care less about any of the characters, much less find any interest in the plot. Her writing is a mess! There is no clear direction, the characters are unlikeable and the murder seems to be a side note to Roche's obsession with Bleu. This isn't even a romance, since there is no chemistry between the characters. The author just tells us they should be together, why I can't figure. Unfortunately, I wasted my money on this book. Don't do the same!!