Double Exposure (Bert & Nan Tatum Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara T. McCafferty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998 | Series: Bert & Nan Tatum Mysteries

Solving a complicated Louisville murder has turned identical twin sisters Bert and Nan Tatum into local celebrities, and has made Nan, the star d.j. at Kentucky radio station WCKI, a sitting duck for call-in crazies who want her to play detective. But one case is too intriguing to refuse: a murder/suicide involving twins. And when Bert and Nan start digging up some crucial clues, they're lured into a deadly trap built for two.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A second adventure for fortyish Nan and Bert Tatum, identical twin sisters living in Louisville, Kentucky, where Nan is a DJ at country-music station WCKI, and Bert, her 20-year marriage ended, works as an office temp. The twins' previous experiences in sleuthing (Double Murder, 1996) have provoked a series of calls to Nan from a nameless, obviously sick woman begging for help in solving the murder of her ``sweet baby.'' Nan, though sympathetic, brushes her off. She's more absorbed by the new man in her life- -Crane Morgan, a portrait photographer from nearby Owensboro, introduced to her by effusive matron Louise Eagleston, from the same town. It soon develops that Crane is also an identical twin. His brother Lane, accused of killing girlfriend Marian Fielding, committed suicide two years ago. It's Bert, taking Nan's place as a dinner guest, who finds Louise stabbed to death in her kitchen, and Police Detective Hank Goetzmann--Nan's old flame, soon to be Bert's new one--is put in charge of the case. Crane Morgan, the prime suspect, is given an alibi by Nan, whose anonymous caller has grown even more hysterical with the news of Louise's death. Only when the sisters, seemingly at risk, venture into their own rash investigations does the silly plot stagger to its conclusion. Nan and Bert's narration, in alternating chapters, has a wryly chipper style that all too quickly begins to pall, though it might be more palatable in the service of a plot that doesn't test credulity at every turn. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575663430
• ISBN-13: 978-1575663432
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read, August 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Double Exposure (Bert & Nan Tatum Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Bert and Nan Tatum are identical twin whose personalities are totally
different. Nan is a flirtatious swinging single and Bert is a domesticated
divorcee. However, they share a common bond that can never be broken. It
is tested by photographer Crane Morgan when Nan falls in love with him at
first sight. Bert wishes that she could feel happy for her sibling, but
something about Crane leaves her on edge.

Louise Eagleston tells Bert that Crane had an identical twin who killed
his girl friend and then committed suicide. Already shaken by that
revelation, Bert's bones quiver to the core when she finds Louise's dying
body holding a series of photos starring Crane and his brother. Bert
strongly feels that there is a connect between the deaths of Louise and the
girl friend of Crane's sibling. A bedazzled Nan won't listen to a negative
comment about her beloved. It is up to her protective sister to snoop
around in order to learn the underlying mystery that engulfed the Morgan
twins.

The differing perspective of what is happening from the viewpoints of
both twins (whose voice is heard in alternating chapters) makes for a fresh
and oftentimes humorous amateur detective cozy. The dawning realization of
who and what the villain is turns the novel into a tension building,
absorbing story line. This brisk pace leads to character familiarity that
makes DOUBLE EXPOSURE a delightful reading experience and showcases the
writing talents of Ms. McCafferty and Ms. Herald that should one day reach
the pinnacle of their chosen profession.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Enjoyable, October 31, 2001

By 

Tneck "tneck" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Exposure (Bert & Nan Tatum Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Bert and Nan Tatum books are well-written and a joy to read. The sisters, although twins, each have their own strengths and quirks. The chapters in the books alternate between each sister telling the story. Lots of humor along with a good mystery.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The twins are even better the second time around, March 24, 2001

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Double Exposure (Bert & Nan Tatum Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Solving the DOUBLE MURDER in the first book has made identical twins Nan and Bert local celebrities. Still, they have no desire to investigate another murder. But then Nan meets Crane Morgan. He's handsome and romantic, and Nan is swept completely off her feet. But Bert has reservations, especially when Louise Eagleston tells her that Crane's identical twin was accused of murder but committed suicide. When Bert goes to hear more from Louise, she finds Louise shot. Now, Bert wants to know more about what's going on, but Nan doesn't want to hear anything bad about Crane or his late brother. Can Bert find the truth while keeping both herself and Nan alive?

This is a fun book. The twins alternating narration is a nice and often funny touch and their personalities get better defined. I figured out the ending before the twins, but by then I was so concerned for them that I had to keep reading. These are great characters that I hope I can keep reading about for years to come.