Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz (Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries, No. 2) [Paperback]

Claudia Mair Burney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Amanda Bell Brown is a woman on the edge.

How's a woman supposed to nurse a broken heart when her pet sugar glider is driving her batty, or is that squirrelly? The deafening tick of her biological clock and having no Jazz to soothe her makes Amanda Bell Brown one frazzled forensic psychologist.

When Lieutenant Jazz Brown shows up at Amanda's door unannounced, her heart competes with her head as she struggles to do the right thing. Jazz says he wants to reconnect and make their relationship work. But there's just one tiny problem: his ex-wife is found murdered -- in his apartment.

Now Amanda has to strap on her sleuthing shoes -- the cute gold pair -- and work against time to discover the truth, both for herself and for Jazz. But as the body count rises and surprising clues begin to surface, Amanda wonders if anyone can know the heart of a man -- especially her man.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Amanda Bell Brown has decided the only way she’ll ever be a mother is by becoming the owner of a squirrel-like exotic pet called a sugar-glider. Even though she’s a psychologist, she’s having issues over her mid-thirties, childless, single state. The man she loves, Lieutenant Jazz Brown, a homicide detective, told her months ago that despite his being single, he is unavailable, and Bell is trying to move on. Then one chilly Detroit night, he shows up at her door coatless and sporting scratches on his face. Jazz wants to talk. And Bell’s life is about to get very complicated: Jazz’s ex-wife was murdered that very night. Jazz is the only suspect, and Bell is determined to find out who the real killer is, even as she now harbors doubts about her relationship with Jazz. With little help from anyone else, Bell turns to God and her faith to guide her. Insecure yet intrepid, Burney’s comically clever sleuth is endearing and inspiring. --Maria Hatton

Review

"Claudia Mair Burney has created a genre all her own: sassy mystery. Burney's engaging writing and interesting characters, coupled with a sexual tension unprecedented in inspirational fiction, put this novel in a league of its own." -- Lisa Samson, Christy Award-winning author of Quaker Summer and Straight Up

"Claudia Mair Burney knows how to make the most heartbreaking things funny as she stares down the truths we turn away from. Every Amanda Bell Brown mystery leaves me looking deeper into the mysteries of God and deeper within myself." -- Marilynn Griffith, author of Pink, Jade, Tangerine, Turquoise, and If the Shoe Fits

"It's official: I'm a Claudia Mair Burney fan. Fan? Make that addict. It's all here: the snappy dialogue Burney is famous for, vivid characters, deep spiritual probing, and the combustible combination of Bell and Jazz." -- Siri Mitchell, author of The Cubicle Next Door and Chateau of Echoes

"Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz intrigues and inspires and leaves you feeling like you've spent the evening in the company of a good friend." -- Stacy Hawkins Adams, author of Speak to My Heart and Nothing But the Right Thing

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416551913
• ISBN-13: 978-1416551911
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,117,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ragamuffin.
Loved by God.
Amazed by grace.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 :: Let the Music Play, March 29, 2008

By 

Donielle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz (Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

Amanda Bell Brown is back in Claudia Mair Burney's Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz. In this second book of the Amanda Bell Brown Mystery series, Bell is back up to her high heels in a crazy mix of murder and romance. Her beloved Jazz is by her side and they are determined to ride this love thing out until they are greeted again by the mystery of another murder, that of Jazz's ex-wife. Bell struggles against all she knows as Jazz's guilt or innocence is put to the test. Doubt and insecurities conflict with love, trust and a desire that will not quit. In the thick of evidence and more dead bodies, Bell fights for the truth and has to wonder if she really knows Jazz at all.

Claudia Mair Burney returns with the goods from Murder, Mayhem & A Fine Man. Bell, Jazz and the rest of the crew are as well developed, witty and hilarious as ever. As for Bell in particular, I laughed with her, cried with her and even wanted to shake her a little bit throughout the story. This novel digs deep. Through Burney's honest and real voice, we are given a story about trust and spiritual healing. A story that proves that even when seeking truth, our love and hearts will be tested. I recommend Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz as well as the first book in the series. I look forward to reading more from this author.


Reviewed by Donielle
APOOO BookClub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amanda Is Back...And Better Than Ever!, April 8, 2008

By 

Urban Reviews "Your Source for the Best in AA... (Online) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz (Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

Amanda Bell Brown is back with another complex case. But first she needs to mend her broken heart after distancing herself from Jazz. This proves to be a difficult task when Jazz shows up wanting Amanda to give him another chance. Jazz has even bigger issues when his ex-wife is found murdered in his apartment. The pressure is now on Amanda to solve this case and to figure out if Jazz is guilty or innocent. When Amanda finds herself in a life or death situation, will Jazz be there to pick up the pieces? Can Amanda really fully trust Jazz?

Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz is the perfect sequel to Murder, Mayhem, & a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney. Mair Burney once again pulls you back into Amanda's story. You will feel the conflict that Amanda has with her feelings for Jazz and with finding out the real truth about who murdered his ex-wife. This mystery is pulled together so wonderfully that readers will feel the same shock and surprise that Amanda feels when the killer is revealed. Some of the old characters like Rocky, Carly and Jazz are back along with some new ones that are an integral part of this story. There are also some of the same quirky romantic and comedic elements as the first novel that will surely delight readers. This can be read as a stand alone novel but readers are encouraged to read the first one to get the full background on Amanda and Jazz. Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz is engrossing and awe-inspiring. Claudia Mair Burney proves once again that she knows the perfect formula for creating a superb mystery. Hopefully this won't be the last time that we see Amanda and Jazz.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, May 11, 2008

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz (Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

I thought there was no way the ragamuffin diva, Claudia Mair Burney, could top her first story, Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man. But she did it with Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz. Totally amazing. The storyline was complex and well-thought-out. She had me really going there. The sugar glider just took the cake. I loved every scene and chapter. The usual tension between hero and heroine was present, but this time it culminated.

The author is a master at the "think of the worst thing that could happen, and make it happen" concept. Man, she had my head turning so often I got whiplash! I have to say, though, that more than once I wanted to slap Bell for messing with Jazz's head. Then again, I totally understood her "issues" that prevented her from accepting love from anyone, and her doubting something that seemed too good to be true. I was with Bell all the way and felt her confusion as well.

Being a social worker and having done counseling with many hurting people for years, I have to say that the author had the criminal psychology portion of the story perfected. The insight into Kate's messed-up past was flawless. Either the author did a lot of research, or she is really gifted with wisdom and insight into human character and dysfunction. Every scene was highly believable and amazing. Tension building all the way, but with interjected humor so hilarious that I laughed out loud more than once! Great way to keep the story moving along. Also, the sensual humor totally captivated me. Not to overuse the term, but that was also hilarious, and very honest, IMHO.

The biggest thrill in this story came when I figured out who killed Kate, and I WAS SO RIGHT! The author left just enough clues to point in the direction of the killer, but did so very slowly, and with absolute perfection. Also, the niggling perception that Jazz might have done it was tremendously applied. Wowsa! So does that make me smart, or the author a genuis at making me feel smart. :) You figure that one out.

Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz is masterful writing and highly entertaining. This probably ranks as my favorite sistah lit title thusfar. If you read it, I'm sure you'll agree that this is some serious entertainment with a powerful message. The takeaway value of this story is what made me love it so much. Plus, the mystery was compelling and complex. Man, the details involved in the plot were plentiful and so well-done it had me reeling. But I loved every minute of it. Oh, and the forensics were perfect. Excellent crime writing. Bravo! Get this one.