Customer Reviews

Do or Die

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

 

 

If you have not read Grace Edwards before, you need to run (don't walk) to your favorite book store and plunk down what ever it takes to obtain the entire series of Mali Anderson mysteries. Mali Anderson is a former NYPD cop who sued the city and won an unlawful dismissal suit. That tells you something about this strong black woman's character. She's a devoted daughter to her musician father, a nurturing aunt to her orphaned teenage nephew, a fierce protector of her friends, and a loyal friend and lover to her man, Tad (a NYPD detective). And that's just the easy stuff!

Ms. Edwards rich knowledge of New York's Harlem (historical and current) and the greats in jazz make this series a virtual escapade of memorable sights and sounds. If you enjoy Charlotte Carter's Nanette Hayes Mystery series (including "Rhode Island Red," "Coq Au Vin," and "Drumsticks"), you'll thoroughly enjoy Mali Anderson and the other vivid characters that Ms. Edwards' magic pen creates.

To recover from the traumatic aftermath of hunting and catching a serial killer, Mali Anderson, her significant other Tad, and her father book a cruise on the QE2. The liner is hosting a jazz festival. Balmy days and romantic nights ease some of the tension before a much mellower Mali leaves the ship.

However, her tranquillity ends when her father and a close friend Ozzie Hendrix share a gig at Club Harlem. Someone slit the throat of Ozzie's daughter, leaving the man totally distraught and nearly broken. Mali's father tries to console his musician friend, but Ozzie soon disappears. Almost simultaneously, his daughter's ex-pimp is found murdered. Mali believes Ozzie went over the edge and killed the person he felt murdered his beloved child. Mali begins her own investigation hoping to find out that Ozzie is innocent before the police arrest him for murder in the first degree.

The heroine is a strong, independent African-American who knows how to work within the system to change it for the better. She makes a great role model for all people regardless of race or gender. Mali stars in an exciting who-done-it in which she shows how much she cares for her loved ones and friends even when she questions their innocence. Grace T. Edwards has penned a thought provoking mystery in DO OR DIE in which the obvious suspect could not have done the crime. The fourth Mali Anderson novel is a triumphant urban mystery that will bring much sattisfaction to sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner

Don't pick up this book, looking for an Agatha Christie or P.D. James type of mystery. This is not a classic who done it. I enjoyed Do or Die mainly because it is a delicious hymm to Harlem. Grace Edwards does a terrific job of making you see that community. You almost taste the food, feel the funky clothes recognize the people that heroine, Mali runs into. The relationship between Mali and her father is touching and funny and could carry the book by itself but it's Harlem that is the star of this book and you'll find that fascinating.

Kimbereley Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men.

Easy read. Mali had a knack for sizing people up. She was creative in her approach to pull information from her sources; some of whom she had never met until she began to investigate the murder of Starr. The story unfolded in such a manner that grabbed your attention from the beginning and held on to it until the end. The killer's identity and window of opportunity were not revealed until the very end of the book which allows you time to develop your own scenarios about "who did it and what for." The book also shows a strong bond of love between fathers and daughters: Starr and Ozzie and Mali and Jeffrey.

THe fourth installment of the Mali Anderson mysteries finds her just off a fabulous jazz cruise and in the middle of another murder mystery. The victim is someone close to her and she feels she must get answers for her father's best friend Ozzie. Much to the displeasure of her honey, Tad Honeywell. He wants her to stay out of it, but if you know Mali, she can't do that. THere were so many possible suspects, this one had you guessing to the end. As always, it is a treat to view Harlem through the eyes and stomach of Mali.For to be sure there are always good sights and good eating in this books.

Mali keeps getting better in each book. I highly recommend starting with the first book and reading them all. Deciding to read them won't take long because you will be hooked to Mali and the family after the first few pages. The tour she gives of Harlem is fascinating. Do or Die has a real twist of an ending. What's next?

This book was extremely slow and boring. It just goes on and on about Mali walking her dog at night into the streets of Harlem with excruciating details about every single store, house, and historical symbol about each street. She keeps asking the same questions to different people and gets nowhere. She supposedly has a boyfriend, Tad, that's on the police force but his character is hardly in the book. You would think by this being a murder case the dialogue between these two would be massive.

Overall, if you are looking for a Harlem history lesson then get this book. If you are looking for a real mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat then do not read this book "by any means necessary"!

I enjoyed reading this book by Grace F. Edwards. It was very enjoyable and i recommend it to anyone and everyone. The story line and plot were easy to follow, and i simply enjoyed reading the excitement that Grace puts in her stories. Mali Anderson is a former NYPD cop and her lover, Tad is an NYPD cop. Mali used the city to win an unlawful dissmissal suit. She is a loving daughter to her musician father, as well as a good friend, lover, and Aunt to her Orphan teenage nephew. I completely adored this book and i hope my review will encourage you to read this book or others by Grace F. Edwards, she has written many excellent books. So overall, there is not much esle to say but RUN to the store now and buy this book!!