Customer Reviews

Death Comes Too Soon: A Bridget O'Hern Mystery

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

 

 

Bridget O'Hern's husband of 23 years divorced her, remarried and then died all within six months. She is now getting back on her feet as a consultant for non-profit organizations. Beverly Tilton has suspicions that George Harris, the executive director for the Oregon Coast Art League, is siphoning funds and asks Bridget to come and investigate. Bridget figures she can go and ask a few questions and then spend a little quality time on the beach. However, at a black-tie fundraiser her first night in town, Beverly dies after falling down a flight of stairs--and her death looks intentional.

Bridget hears conflicting information about Bev from members of the community and from the board members. Beverly's manic-depressive disorder didn't seem to help matters either. Margaret Medlow, the head of the Art League's board, asks Bridget to continue her investigation and to clear George Harris' reputation that has been tarnished by the rumors Bev has been spreading. Bridget agrees, believing that during her investigation she will get closer to finding out who killed Bev.

While Bridget is asking questions and reviewing the League's records, Harrington reveals the clues that come together nicely in a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys amateur sleuths.

Armchair Interviews says: It is the second book featuring Bridge O'Hern and stands alone nicely without giving away too much of the first book.

Bridget O'Hern's friend Bev Tilton talks her into coming to the Oregon coast to look into the local art league. Bev is afraid that the art league's executive director is embezzling funds. Bridget is a nonprofit consultant, but she has doubts about taking on this assignment. The lure of free lodging in Bev's bed and breakfast is too enticing. So, she goes.

Bridget is trying to heal from the end of her twenty-three-year marriage. What she gets is a dead friend, Bev. Bridget continues investigating the art league and trying to get information about who might have killed Bev. Interim police chief, Sam Alpern, is none too happy that she is investigating. Nothing will stop her. Not even when she finds herself in danger.

Can Bridget figure out what's going on in the art league and who killed her friend without becoming a victim herself?

This is the first in this series that I've read. I really enjoyed it. Found it hard to put down. I can't wait to read the next one. I loved the setting on the Oregon coast, too. Bridget is a likeable character and the people in this small town really added to the story. Sam Alpern is a great character, and I hope he'll be in future books.

I highly recommend this book!

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This is a fun mystery that kept me guessing to the end as to "who done it." I like the author's style and her sleuth, Bridget. She's not sappy, but smart and compassionate. There are a lot of interesting characters in the story . . . and I hope things work out between Bridget and that police chief.
I think Bridget needs a little romance in her life to help her concentrate on her sleuthing. Hope to hear more about her in future books

Tacoma, Washington based author Patricia Harrington once again takes her readers through a whodunit that falls comfortably between the mean street of the hard-boiled and the tea rooms of the cozy.

Her characters are believable in the Oregon coast small town setting she has placed them it. Her fingers have punched out a mystery that constantly keeps the reader guessing almost to the last page.

If you are unfamilar with Harrington's work "Death Comes Too Soon" is a good place to start.

Her main character, Bridget O'Hern, probably gives the reader more insight to the author than she herself would be willing to admit.

A book the publisher of The New Takhoman recommends be put on every mystery readers wish list.

I'm not sure if Amazon realized when I purchased my book to give to a friend that they were also giving me--as a buyer--the opportunity to review my own work. How much fun. I did give the mystery a five starating. To be fair to viewers, I'll tell why, being as unbiased as I can be, which is difficult since I'm the novel's creator.

The first star is for the mystery itself, the whodunit. I give it a gold star star rating for that element because readers have told me that I kept them guessing as to "whodidit," until the end.

For the second star, I'd say that the protagonist Bridget O'Hern rates one because she is someone readers (I) can identify with. She's not zany, but she is smart, and I like her because she's compassionate. She solves murders because they happen to people or their family members whom she cares about. Although, I must also confess, she is a little snoopy.

The third star goes for the setting, which is on the Oregon coast. Author and teacher M.K. Wren once said that setting can be a character, and is the third leg of the three-legged stool propping up a good mystery. How can you go wrong with an eerie scene set at dusk on a lonely, wild ocean beach?

The fourth star would go for the story, the plot, because it's plausible. My sleuth Bridget has a legitimate reason for being where she is, she's investigating a possible embezzlement by the director of the Oregon Coast Art League. Her business, after all, is as a consultant to nonprofit organizations.

For the fifth star, I'd say that the story deserves one because it works: the narrative, the plot, interesting characters and a good whodunit all combine to make an evening of fun, good reading.

Okay, okay, use your own judgment on my reasoning in the review. But if you buy DEATH COMES TOO SOON, please let me know whether you like it . . . or don't.

I want to hear from you.

Happy Reading,

Pat Harrington
www.patriciaharrington.com

Rebeccasreads recommends DEATH COMES TOO SOON as an atmospheric & entertaining evening's mystery starring Bridget O'Hern, first met in DEATH STALKS THE KHMER.

After her 23 year marriage ends disastrously, Bridget has every intention of seeking her bliss. She now lives in St. Mary's Corner, a small town halfway between Seattle & Portland, & when her friend calls to ask her to come down to Seaview & find out why the art league is losing money, Bridget thinks it's a perfect time out.

Except... all is not quite as it seems nor rosy in Bev's life, as Bridget soon observes: her friend has alarming mood swings; there's a strangely upset husband & a much too solicitous wife; there are stresses about wanting children; lies, drugs & secrets lurking between two married couples, & a domineering doyen of the Art League with an impeccable past & particular ideas about everything -- even whom her son could marry. There are locals with shady pasts & a lot of anger just below the surface. & a beachside fundraising party to prepare for.

Then, on a lovely summer's evening, a fatal accident changes everything, & Bridget helps the police chief investigate who wanted Bev out of the picture.

I really enjoyed the book, lots of surprises and all the Irish references were fun. I liked that CJ, the cafe owner and Jack Patrewski, the detective from the author's first book (Death Stalks the Khmer) were included. Best of all the heroine, Bridget, is intelligent, tenacious and a real woman!