Customer Reviews

Death's Favorite Child (A Lizzie Stuart Mystery series)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a wonderful mystery. This one had me guessing to the very end. Not only does Frankie Bailey keep you guessing in "Death's Favorite Child," she also makes you beg for more at the end of the novel with three of her main characters at pivotal points in their lives.

African-American crime professor, Lisabeth (Lizzie)Stuart is beginning a week-long vacation at a small bed and breakfast hotel in St. Regis on the Cornish Coast of England with her former college roommate, Tess, now a travel writer. Of course, our Lizzie, the ceribral spinster doesn't expect to witness the murder of a young woman and then put herself in danger or become attracted to a white Philadelphia homicide detective, John Quinn. Nevertheless,

Lizzie Stuart goes to Cornwall on a vacation with her best friend and ends up the witness to a murder. A young woman is cleverly murdered, obviously by someone who is staying at the charming little inn run by her aunts. Since Lizzie is also a guest at the inn, she is somewhat disturbed by the fact that she not only witnessed a murder but is sharing living space with the possible murderer. Meanwhile her best friend's ne'er do well ex-husband has also arrived and is trying to patch things up. Lizzie dislikes him and wonders if it is wishful thinking that he may be involved. And then there is the attractive American detective that Lizzie keeps running into. John Quinn is determined that Lizzie keep her nose out of a bona fide murder mystery before she gets herself killed.

This was a lovely story. It had the true feel of one of those nice cozy little mysteries. The book is excellently written and I like the idea of the budding romance between Lizzie and John. I do wish that the author was a bit more descriptive of Lizzie. I can't get a picture of her in my head. And I thought the connections between all the people were a little too neat. Also I found the way the murder was solved somewhat implausible, but I give that a pass.

Overall, this was a good story. I can't wait to read the next ones.

Bailey has provided us with a unique and likable heroine in Lizzie. I particularly liked the setting (wonderfully drawn) and the complications provided by Lizzie's best friend -- and the friend's ex-husband. The relationship between Lizzie and the American policeman will surely be of interest in future books. This is a well woven and suspenseful story which had me eagerly turning pages, guessing up until the end who had done it.

Following the deaths of her parents, Lizzie Stuart chose to live with her maternal grandparents in Drucilla, Kentucky. She spent most of her life in the town until the deaths of her grandparents made the full tenured professor need to escape from what was once home. Lizzie arranges to meet her friend Tess in St. Regis, England. However, the trip starts poorly when Lizzie meets Tess' ex-husband, Michael Donavan, a person she detests. Michael asks Lizzie to deliver a package to Tess, which she reluctantly agrees. Not long afterward, a thug mugs Lizzie demanding she hand over the package.

Upon arrival at St. Regis, Lizzie learns that Tess is pregnant with Michael's child. Tess is thinking of reconciling with Michael and though it disturbs Lizzie, she knows there is nothing she can do to prevent it from happening. Soon the hotel owner's niece is murdered and the hooligan who assaulted Lizzie in London begins stalking her. Subsequently, someone rapes and kills a woman. Lizzie believes that Michael is at the core of these ugly incidents. She works with the police and a cute American cop trying to prove her theory.

Silver Dagger has earned the reputation for its mysteries written by authors with fresh voices. DEATH'S FAVORITE CHILD provides another well-written, unique tale that showcases author Frankie Y. Bailey as a welcomed talent. The cleverly executed mystery contains an assortment of likable characters that make the story line seem genuine. Readers will want more works starring the feisty protagonist.

Harriet Klausner

I am actually going to order the rest of the series. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy a read it was. There was slight romance but the focal point was definitely the intrigue and mystery. I actually did NOT know who "donit" at the end! I was shocked.

I really liked the introduction of John Quinn and Professor Lizzie Stuart. This was an excellent story very well written. For me I was drawn into the story right from the start and there are several undertones of mysterious things that are happening like the man that trys to steal a bag that that holds a gift for Lizzie's friend and the culprit pushes Lizzie almost under the London bus. Excellent story...this is a great series.

Although I'm hardly seeking stark realism, this plot was hopelessly contrived, with everyone visiting an English B&B somehow involved in each other's bedrooms/murders. Since the main character is black, I was looking forward to a mystery along the lines of John Ball, Eleanor Bland, Chassie West, MK Wren, etc., where the African-American heritage greatly enhanced the plot and setting. Alas, this character could have been a purple dinosaur for all the references. The main character is Lizabeth(Lizzie) Stuart, the illegitimate daughter of a black woman who abandoned her after giving birth, and who was raised by her grandparents in Drucilla, Kentucky -- but that's all we ever learn about her background. Since Lizzie has a PhD, it could have been a great mystery involving a successful black role model -- but no such luck. The book takes place in England, involving a far-fetched, hopelessly contrived mystery and unfathomable number of "coincidences" at the B&B. Moreover, most of the book involves conversations, which I found very annoying and distracting. In short, this was a huge disappointment.

Frankie Bailey is an academic who has managed to incorporate her love of crime fiction and films into her work as a criminologist. Death's Favorite Child, her debut novel, introduces us to a new crime-solving woman of color. Lizzie Stuart's quick wit and zest for seeking the truth immediately draws the reader to her personality.

"A loud eruption of a sneeze, followed by another, and then a third...

Not that I could expect any good to come of sneezing on Sunday. "You gonna spend the whole week trying to keep one step ahead of the devil ..." ... Excerpt from Chapter 1

Lizzie remembers her grandmother's words when she witnesses a murder during her vacation in St. Regis, England. She spends the rest of her vacation putting together the pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit. Disturbingly the pieces include her best friend and other guests in the hotel. In the midst of her puzzle-solving quest, Lizzie's life becomes a game to someone else.

Bailey does a magnificent job of developing the character, Lizzie Stuart. Even a romance is subtly introduced between the "prudish" Lizzie and a fellow American who seems to serve as a "guardian" angel with perfect timing. After reading this book, readers will definitely want future installments featuring Lizzie Stuart's crime-solving ventures.