Deadly Blessings [Paperback]

Julie A. Hyzy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2006

It's not often Alex St. James has a story like this fall into her lap, only to have it snatched away again. As news researcher at Midwest Focus Television in Chicago, she'd been set to interview a young Polish immigrant woman, pregnant by a Catholic priest. When the woman is found murdered, and Alex tries to investigate, her boss abruptly reassigns her to a fluff piece, so he can give the hot murder story to the station owner's nephew. But anyone who knows Alex also knows that like Fate, she'll find a way. Acting without authority and without assistance, she continues to investigate, making some very powerful people in the Chicago Archdiocese uneasy. Suddenly Alex finds herself in the middle of a plot so sinister and far reaching that the very next thing she might hear are her own Last Rites.

Award-winning mystery author Julie Hyzy has also written several award-winning science-fiction short stories. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago. (20050601)

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Hyzy's debut cozy, the latest assignment for 30ish researcher Alexandrine "Alex" St. James, who works for a Chicago TV news show, leads to an exposé of area hair salons, one of which turns out to be a front for a prostitution ring. Meanwhile, Alex's live-in lover proves to be a cad, but a new hunk at work seems interested in keeping company with her after office hours. Some of the details we learn about Alex feel extraneous, as if Hyzy plopped a writing-workshop character development exercise in the middle of the book (why we're introduced to her sister with Williams syndrome, for example, is never made entirely clear). While the ultimate (titular) connections between the prostitution ring and the Catholic Church are timely, the hints of anti-Catholic propaganda, à la Maria Monk, may leave a bad taste in some readers' mouths. Blurbs from Carolyn Hart and Annette Meyers, however, will alert their fans to a new author who, hopefully, will improve with practice. (June 10)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Julie Hyzy's riveting mystery, Deadly Blessings, launches appealing sleuth Alex St. James in a twisty, absorbing, headline-current case. First rate."
-- -Carolyn Hart, author of Murder Walks the Plank and Death of the Party

"A well constructed plot, interesting characters, and plenty of Chicago lore make Julie Hyzy's Deadly Blessings a truly pleasurable cozy."
--Annette Meyers, author of Hedging, a Smith and Wetzon mystery

"DEADLY BLESSINGS is a rip-roaring keep you on the edge of your seat ride that will keep the reader turning the pages. Author Julie Hyzy will delight all mystery lovers with this one. Multi faceted and intriguing characters abound in DEADLY BLESSINGS. While not mentioned specifically, this reviewer gets the feeling that Alex has never been one to follow the rules. She knows what she wants and is going to do what she has to get it. What she wants is to break this dangerous and life threatening story and make it her own. Her antics to do just that put her own life in peril. Sophie is a Polish immigrant who was tricked into believing that she could lead a wonderful and rich life in the United States. Alex meets Sophie and soon takes Sophie under her wing and is determined to protect her and expose the criminal ring responsible for at least two murders. William is a new kid on the block. He left his last job with a lawsuit hanging over his head. Anxious to prove himself he teams up with Alex in a dangerous undercover investigation that could prove disastrous for the Archdiocese. These characters mixed with some well-written secondary characters will keep the reader on their toes."

"Never a dull moment and nail biting suspense make DEADLY BLESSINGS a must read for mystery lovers. This reviewer highly recommends this book and looks forward to other Alex St. James mysteries."
--Loveromances.com, July 2005 (LoveRomances.Com )

"The Chicago area writer Julie Hyzy, author of last year's charming debut Artistic License, returns with a solid, entertaining mystery that proves her to be a promising talent with a gift for winning characters and involving plots.

Hyzy's Deadly Blessings (Five Star, $25.95) is the projected start of a new series featuring Alex St. James, a news researcher for a Chicago TV station. Alex is assigned a meaningless story involving hair-salon nightmares, but soon uncovers a far juicer one involving prostitution, a murdered young woman and a Catholic priest.

Deadly Blessings demonstrates substantial polish and poise for a second novel and is likely to appeal to readers of traditional mysteries as well as those who enjoy stories with a slightly harder edge."
--Chicago Sun-Times, June 2005 (Chicago Sun-Times ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 347 pages
• Publisher: Five Star (July 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410402533
• ISBN-13: 978-1410402530
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,955,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julie Hyzy is the national bestselling author of the White House Chef Mysteries and the Manor House Mysteries. She won the Barry and Anthony Awards for Best Paperback Original for State of the Onion in 2009, and several other awards for her novels and short stories. Her first Manor House Mystery, Grace Under Pressure, earned a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly. Julie loves to read, eat out, and watch old movies and TV shows with her husband and three daughters. They live near Chicago with two rambunctious cats, Kitka and Violet.

MANOR HOUSE MYSTERIES
Grace Under Pressure
Grace Interrupted
Grace Among Thieves (coming, June 2012)

WHITE HOUSE CHEF MYSTERIES
State of the Onion
Hail to the Chef
Eggsecutive Orders
Buffalo West Wing
Affairs of Steak

Originally published in hardcover books now available on KINDLE:
Artistic License (standalone romantic suspense)
Deadly Blessings (first in Alex St. James series)
Deadly Interest (second in Alex St. James series)

Also on KINDLE
Short Story Collection, Volume 1
Writing Dialogue
Deadly Shorts, Alex St. James short stories

Available on KINDLE - under the N.C. Hyzy pseudonym (decidedly less cozy!):
Playing With Matches
Mystery Short Stories, Volume 1
Tracer's Blues

And, under the S.F. Hyzy pseudonym - Science Fiction shorts
Science Fiction Short Stories, Volume 1

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars solid journalist investigative tale, June 25, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Deadly Blessings (Hardcover)

In Chicago Alexandrine "Alex" St. James has a story that can make her TV journalist career revolving around a twenty-two year old Polish immigrant Milla Voight impregnated by Father Carlos de los Santos. However, someone kills Milla while Carlos flees to his native Brazil.

To Alex's chagrin her boss at Midwest Focus Television newsmagazine Philip "Bass" Bassett takes her off the follow-up story replacing her with newcomer Fenton Foss, nephew of a management big cheese. She is assigned to investigate beauty salons that have failed its clients with poor perms. Since Milla worked Hair to Die For salon, Alex starts there figuring she can meet the assignment, but also investigate the homicide.

DEADLY BLESSINGS is a solid journalist investigative tale starring a delightful heroine who needs future appearances. Alex makes the tale work as she plays with the cards that her boss and her boyfriend provide to her in a game that the two men rig. The twists are shrewdly used to provide insight into the heroine as much as into the case except for an eye opening final spin in which professional ethics is discarded for career enhancement. Julie Hyzy provides a tense tale that showcases a darker side to Chicago and the church that comes across badly using the flock for personal gain.

Harriet Klausner

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read by a Great Writer, January 9, 2006

By 

Nancy J. Conley (Orland Park, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Deadly Blessings (Hardcover)

Ms. Hyzy kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Unlike other mystery novels where the reader has suspicions as to the outcome, I didn't have a clue. "Deadly Blessings" is well written, very clever, fast paced, and an enjoyable read for anyone who is looking for a great mystery.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner by Jules Hyzy, August 23, 2005

By 

Helen J. Osterman (Chicago Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Deadly Blessings (Hardcover)

I found the book, Deadly Blessings, to be timely and a good read. The dialogue is crisp; the subject matter thought provoking; and the writing excellent.
A winner!