Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.

This novel is laugh out loud funny in several places.

As soon as I finish writing this review, I'm going to google what a sugar glider is. That tempermental pet was responsible for some my biggest laughs in this book, from the beginning when it attacked it's owner to the end when it saved her life.

Bell the main character is hysterical and it seems like she and I would hit it off immediately if we met in real life.

This novel stretches the molds of christian fiction. Usually I like edgier inspirational stories. This one dealt with murder, gay relationships, self mutilation, and lots of lust.

I guess it was a little too edgy for me to feel like I was reading christian suspense. I felt more like I was reading a secular story where the characters just happened to be believers. I suppose there's a fine line between the two and this novel went just over it. That's the reason I didn't give it five stars.

Police Lieutenant Jazz Brown decides, in spite of a traumatic marriage and divorce, to try a relationship with forensic psychologist Dr. Amanda bell Brown. One night without warning, he knocks on her door to confess he did something terribly wrong by being with his ex-wife Kate who left him for another woman. Before he can finish his explanation, Bell's sister Carly calls to tell her to vacate the house immediately.

Carly says that she is at Jazz's loft with a dead Kate. When Bell gets to the crime scene, her first reaction is things are too perfect as if someone arranged everything to implicate Jazz. When she returns to her home, Jazz is there to finish explaining what he knows. The police look at him as the only suspect and DNA tests affirm their belief; he is arrested, but let out on bond. Bell is determined to clear his name, but someone watches her every step to insure she fails.

An Amanda Bell mystery (see MURDER, MAYHEM, AND A FINE MAN) is a treat to read because the heroine seems so human with her many foibles and insecurities starting with her disbelief that a hunk like Jazz loves her. Jazz has made many enemies even inside his precinct as he feels enforcement of the law is a responsibility that a cop must not abuse and from the criminals he has sent to prison. Thus Bell's quest seems Herculean. Claudia Mair Burney provides a compelling whodunit.

Harriet Klausner

Amanda Bell Brown, forensic psychologist, is at it again in DEATH, DECEIT & SOME SMOOTH JAZZ. Her sister Carly, calls her to a crime scene, one evening, and Amanda is horrified to find Jazz's ex-wife, Katie, dead in Jazz's bed. Amanda and Detective Jazz Brown had begun a love affair in the previous book, Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man, but because of religious issues, had stopped seeing each other. Imagine Amanda's surprise when Jazz rang her door bell at 9:30 PM one evening. After leaving Jazz in her apartment, Amanda hurries to the scene, knowing in her heart Jazz could never be this cruel. Others are not so sure, especially the police department and Jazz is first put on leave, then arrested. Amanda is determined to find the real killer. Even though family and well-meaning friends tell Amanda to stay away from Jazz, she can't do it, her heart won't let her, so she plunges onward, searching for any enemy Katie might have had, thus putting herself in grave danger. Even Jazz wants her to stop her investigation.

DEATH, DECEIT & SOME SMOOTH JAZZ by Claudia Mair Burney is another exciting mystery Amanda Bell Brown must solve. The characters once again wormed their way into my psyche, making me want to love them and give them a good smack at the same time. It is filled with passion, fear, scripture and plain old humanity as Amanda searches for the killer of Jazz's ex-wife, while fighting her own fears that Jazz is guilty. This book can stand alone, even if you haven't read the first one. It is definitely a must-read for mystery lovers.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Overall the story was a good one, but a lot of the emotion was overwrought. Yes, Amanda Bell had a very abusive relationship in a "toxic church," but her incessant obsessing over a dead ex-wife's bra size and her unwillingness to trust the word of the supposed "love of her life" when it was pretty apparent that he could not have done the murder he was being framed for got tiring after awhile. I began skipping over the sections of endless soul searching to get to the moving forward portions of the story. If Jazz could go to counselling weekly, why couldn't Amanda Bell get with the program and go too?

Without reading the first book and understanding Amanda's background, the character definately would just appear whiney and looney, especially the scene after her wedding night, so read "Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man" first.

Once again, plot, story itself, characters, and yes the sugar glider, were all entertaining -- just would have liked a little less self-centered whining. A woman in her mid-thirties with a psychology degree one would hope would treat a guy better than that!

I love this author and the Amanda Bell mysteries I will be purchasing the next one of course! If you need something to read that will keep you, try Mrs. Claudia Mair Burney's work!

Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz
By Claudia Mair Burney
Review by Roseanna White

It's amazing what can get in the way of a good relationship these days--careers, differing opinions, dead ex-wives. . . . For Bell and Jazz, they just can't seem to catch a break. Bell resorted to buying an exotic pet for love and companionship, but no sooner does she get the little beast home--and get attacked by it--than ex-boyfriend Jazz shows back up in her life. One small problem: he's the prime suspect in his ex-wife's homicide. Once again Dr. Amanda Bell Brown, forensic psychologist, steps into the role of sleuth and sets out to annoy and cajole the police department into solving this crime the right way--as in, not letting the real murderer frame the man of her dreams.

Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz is the follow-up to Burney's first novel, Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man. This time around it's Jazz who's dogging our narrator, professing love and a desire for a relationship. But Bell's running scared. Her low self-esteem and overactive hormones leave her totally confused about who she can trust and what Jazz's motives really are. Is he only in her life now because she's his alibi? Can she really compare to the beauty of his ex-wife in his mind? The questions keep on coming and the action keeps on twisting, and Bell keeps on sleuthing until she gets her answers--even if the price is alienating all of her friends.

My feelings on this book are mixed. It had a great narration, and the mystery was fantastic, but I kinda felt like Bell and Jazz kept kicking each other when they were down. They'd get something together only to forcibly rip it apart, and while I'll grant the reality of it, by the end I felt like shaking both our narrator and her true love and screaming, "Just be honest and get on with being happy!" Still, if you liked the first one, I'm sure you'll love this one, too. I haven't yet had the chance to read Burney's first novel, so there was some history I'm still not sure of, but other than having to read between the lines here and there, Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz stands alone.

I also have to caution the very selective reader: subjects such as sex and homosexuality are very much present, some of them discussed and some of them just there, and the characters' dialogue is very realistic--not profane, but definitely nitty-gritty when it comes to bodice-ripping passion. I personally have no problem with this, since the whole point of it is the struggle to maintain sexual purity, but it might be too much for some. It's also not the best choice for someone who wants a definite happy ending; the mystery is well resolved, but the personal conflicts are left hanging wide open, undoubtedly because this is but number two in an ongoing series.

Overall, I'd say the witty narration and plot as twisted as Bell's hair extensions make Death, Deceit, and some Smooth Jazz a must-read for lovers of chick-lit mystery, especially if you like ones with an ethnic flavuh.

Amanda Bell Brown hooked me in the first book Murder, Mayhem & A Fine Man. She is a successful psychologist with a quick wit and great attention to detail. Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz leaves you wanting more and ready for the sequel. I was disappointed in Amanda's reaction to Rocky and I found her continuous insecurities disturbing. My fingers are crossed in hopes that the next book brings this troubled couple together to solve this and other crimes and put the bad guys away! Ms. Burney is an excellent author and I intend to read the entire Amanda Bell Brown series as it becomes available.