Decorated to Death (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dean James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005 | Series: Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries

Not everyone can claim both Hercule Poirot and Nancy Drew as inspiration - but not everyone is a vampire sleuth from the States who pulled up stakes to live in a small English village. Even the eccentric denizens of Snupperton Mumsley might be surprised by Simon Kirby-Jones's rather unusual lifestyle. But murder is a more than adequate distraction when a visiting celebrity meets his maker - and Simon must suss out a killer.

Available only in Mystery 4.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In James's third witty cozy (after 2003's Faked to Death) to feature author, part-time sleuth and gay vampire Simon Kirby-Jones, the usually quiet English village of Snupperton Mumsley is astir over the arrival of Zeke Harwood, the obnoxious star of the popular TV decorating show Très Zeke. Zeke and his staff plan to film the redecorating of Lady Prunella Blitherington's drawing room, but he threatens to paint the room red when he and Lady Prunella get into a nasty argument, caught on tape. When Zeke is later found bludgeoned to death and smeared with red paint in the now dismantled drawing room, Lady Prunella becomes the chief suspect, but not, as Simon soon discovers, the only one. Joining forces with good-looking Det. Inspector Robin Chase, Simon uncovers motives galore among the guests, villagers and, yes, even the butler. Meanwhile, Simon is perplexed by his own personal mystery-his sudden urge to nibble the veins in people's necks, a vampire instinct that his medication is supposed to control. As in an elaborate and fun game of Clue, all the pieces come neatly together. A well-crafted mystery combines with whimsical characters (the interplay between Simon and Lady Prunella's son, Giles, is a highlight) to create an imaginative spoof on the classic locked-room mystery.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Dean James is the Agatha Award-winning author of several works of mystery nonfiction as well as two mystery series.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758204868
• ISBN-13: 978-0758204868
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,346,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars upbeat British cozy with a vampire twist, March 29, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Decorated To Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery (Hardcover)

Simon Kirby-Jones joins his vampire lover in eternity, but creatures of the night are fickle. When Trevor breaks up with Simon, he gives him Laurel Cottage in the English Village of Snupperton Mumsley and Simon moves to the other side of the Atlantic. He fits in well with the other residents thanks to the small white pills he takes that allows him to go out in sunlight and kills the need for human blood. He writes novels and non-fiction under pseudonyms while his assistant Sir Giles Blitherington wants more than a business relationship with the attractive vampire.

The village is agog that Zeke Harwood, host of a home decorating TV show, comes to Blithering Hall to redecorate one of the rooms. Zeke goes out of his arrogant way to be unpleasant to everyone including his host and hostess, his television producer, his personal assistant, his lover and even his sister. When someone murders the man Simon doesn't want his assistant or his mother considered as viable suspects. In the tradition of Poirot, he investigates using resources the police don't have, to figure out who killed a man that everyone hated.

Anyone who likes an upbeat British cozy with a vampire twist will love DECORATED TO DEATH. Dean James has created a charming series that readers sink their teeth into without getting bloody since the protagonist never drinks any blood so the vampiric elements are somewhat limited. The hero is a suave and debonair cozy type figure who can charm the birds out of the trees and he uses that sophistication to worm information out of various suspects. This mystery manages to be charming and endearing, a one of a kind series.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Can't Believe I'm Reading This Stuff!, February 1, 2005

By 

D. Denny (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Decorated To Death: A Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery (Hardcover)

I started reading this and rather enjoyed Simon Kirby-Jones, the witty American author residing in an English village, before I realized he was a vampire. Then I thought, "I can't believe I'm reading a mystery about a gay vampire who solves village mysteries!"

A main plot line was rather cliched, in that the famous decorator was obnoxious, cruel and hated by virtually all who came in contact with him. (Hmmm. I wonder who's going to be murdered here . . .") But the writing and characters were entertaining enough to overcome the cliche and there were enough surprises to keep me going.

Okay, I don't believe this, but I'm looking for more in the Simon-Jones series - even tho I feel silly reading about a gay vampire. Just don't tell anyone, ok?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brew a cup of hot tea and prepare to enjoy yourself, October 9, 2007

By 

Mark A Roeder "frodo_baggins" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Decorated to Death (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

What could be better than a gay vampire who solves crimes? I found this tale immensely enjoyable, both as a mystery and as a way to immerse myself in English country life. The characters are delightful (or dreadful in the case of Zeke Harwood, the nasty decorator). The setting is charming. I found myself wanting to wander around the world of Snupperton Mumsley. Brew up a cup of hot tea and read this wonderful story. It's a perfect read for an inclement night. I've read every book in the series. Anyone who doesn't like them obviously suffers from deplorable taste.