Customer Reviews

Dying to Get Published (Jennifer Marsh Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dying to get Published is not a heavy duty mystery it is light hearted and takes a poke at the mystery genre (Jennifer is a pre-published mystery writer who creates wacky heroines and plots that are woven throughout the book). Judy Fitzwater has accurately described every hopeful writer's feelings in Dying to Get Published.

I could totally relate to Jennifer Marsh, the main character, and her wacky cast of friends. She is devoted to her writing and does catering parties to help make ends meet - it is at a party she and her friend Dee Dee are working where she meets Sam, a great dream guy and picks up her first "case".

As I said, the plot intricacies might leave a bit to be desired for those looking for a hard core mystery but for me this was a fun read. I like Jennifer, her wonderful dog Muffy and her unborn (and unconceived ) child Jaimie (could be a girl or a boy).

As whole - this was a great premise and a fun book.

The first in a planned series of six novels (now close to completion at five published), Dying to Get Published, is Judy's Fitzwater's spellbinding debut book. Jennifer Marsh is a struggling writer, doing everything she can to get her murder mysteries published... and she means -everything-, right down to planning a real murder to help her write her fictional ones.

Everything goes sour, though, when Jennifer's intended victim turns up dead, and she's left cheated out of her crime! But not exactly... since guess who appears to be the perfect suspect? You guessed it.

The most notable aspect of Fitzwater's writing is her incredible ability to make her characters -real- and extremely identifiable. Whether you want to shake them, hold their hands, or stop them on the street, the constructs of Fitzwater's mind are an amusing bunch-- one you're not likely to forget in the near future.

If you're a mystery fan looking for a quirky, fun read, try Judy Fitzwater. You won't be disappointed.

I personally found the book to be one of the best I've ever read. It's fast-paced, amusing, well-written, and has lovely characters and dialogue. Jennifer Marsh is a great character that I relate to and who makes me laugh. She's perfect to carry a series. I've recommended DYING TO GET PUBLISHED and its successors to everyone I know. I enjoyed them all immensely. If you're looking for a great mystery and a charming novel, you should definitely find a copy of DYING TO GET PUBLISHED. Judy Fitzwater has created clever, interesting plots and a wonderfully entertaining cast of characters. Her manner of writing is crisp, clear, and the woman can certainly turn a phrase. This book gets my highest praise as will all of Fitzwater's future books, I'm sure.

Many aspiring writers will do the most inane things just to see their manuscript published. For instance, Jen Marsh has a closet filled with her eight rejected novels and a draw loaded with rejection letters that could wallpaper her home.

A television talk show sparks an idea in Jen's mind on how to come to the attention of the publishing world. Jen decides to set herself up as the person who killed infamous agent Penny Richmond. She figures on obtaining several weeks of high profile media coverage before her innocence is pronounced. This will surely be the impetus towards having her eight murder mysteries published. Her plan works too perfect as she is arrested on suspicion of murder. Now, she has to find the real culprit before she spends the rest of her life writing novels from behind bars.

Anyone who is considering authoring a book should read DYING TO GET PUBLISHED, which is a humorous primer on the tricks, tribulations, and traumas confronting an aspirin! g writer. This insider's view of publishing is fascinating yet frightening even as it serves as the basis for making Judy Fitzwater's debut novel a success. The characters seem genuine almost as if Ms. Fitzwater has a want other work from this talented newcomer.

Harriet Klausner

This was a very readable debut mystery novel. I like the fact that Jennifer Marsh was an *unpublished* author, rather than the typical successful author pursuing mysteries in his/her spare time. It was also nice to see the workings of a reading group. So often authors thank their reading groups on their dedication pages, and I always wondered exactly what the group did for them. Now I know.

The plot seemed a little silly at the start, what with Jennifer setting herself up as a murderess in order to gain publicity. It seemed to me that she had to be on the verge of madness to let things go as far as it did, and I found that to be unsettling. Who sends out threatening letters on their own letterhead? She is supposed to be knowledgeable about crime but doesn't know about current stalking and harassment laws? Perhaps it was supposed to be funny, but it didn't make sense character-wise, especially since the opening pages mentioned that she was a "good Baptist girl". That's really my only quibble with the book but it was a big one, dropping the rating from four to three stars.

Contrary to the other reviewers' opinions, I found Jennifer's mental conversations with her unfertilized egg, which she named Jaimie (being a non-gender-specific name) really funny, especially when she felt that Jaimie was putting pressure on her to hurry up and choose it a daddy. All of the secondary characters were nicely drawn, each with a distinctive character, and her potential love interest was suitably gorgeous. I'll definitely continue reading this series.

An enjoyable, fun mystery. Finally, no cops or PI's, no dames, not even a trench coat. "Dying To Get Published" is a satisfying read that would be great for a long plane ride or a day at the beach. I particularly liked the way the book tapped into Jennifer's dark side. I mean who hasn't thought about sending threatening letters or killing someone? (Oh, like YOU haven't!) This was my first Judy Fitzwater novel, but I plan to read them all.

Deeply rooted in its surroundings, this novel is full of the flavor of the south and southern personality and charm. People have strong relationships and come together in social settings that make you feel like you could be at home.

Dying to Get Published is not only a rich mystery, but a humorous look into the business of writing and publishing.

There is absolutely something in this book for everyone.

I absolutely love this book. The plot is ingenious, with lots of fun twists and turns and a great dose of humor. The main character, Jennifer, is hysterical, and her thought process cracks me up. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes intriguing cozy mysteries, and anyone who likes to laugh. I loved the scenes with Jennifer's critique group, and her 'elderly' senior citizen 'spies' are awesome!! It's hard to put down; you won't be disappointed!

Jennifer Marsh is a part-time caterer and a mystery writer. Or at least she wants to be a mystery writer, but just can't seem to get published.

After eight rejected manuscripts, Jennifer is getting desperate and angry. Especially with agent Penney Richmond who after receiving Jennifer's latest, took a year to reject it.

Jennifer decides she will plan the perfect murder, which should help her writing. And Penney's going to be the victim.

When Penney winds up dead, Jennifer wonders if she maybe carried things a little too far.

Highlights:

Jennifer's relationship with Sam Culpepper, a reporter. She can't decide if she does or doesn't want a relationship with him.

Her writer's group. This group of women write a variety of different genre's and are very funny.

It's an interesting premise. Trying to see if you were a murderer, could you get into a secure apartment building, could you pick a lock, etc.

Jennifer's conversations with Jaime, her not yet conceived but hoped for future baby.

Lowlights:

Jennifer is kind of stupid. Three stupid things she does:

1. Writes threatening letters to Penney - background for the book.

2. Takes a real gun with her when she goes to Penney's apartment, the night she's going through the make-believe murder. Penney is, of course, murdered that night.

3. Giving anyone sleeping pills in wine to knock them out, to give you an alibi.

She's lucky she didn't go to jail.

Jolene Arizona, the lead character in her new book. She's a left-handed, blind-in-one-eye, bareback-riding circus performer turned Hollywood detective and who sleeps with EVERY client.

And Jennifer wonders why she's not published.

Not a great start, but an easy, quick read, and good enough to go onto the second book, Dying to Get Even.

This book gave me a totally different slant on the task of writing and getting published. Being inside Jennifer Marsh's mind was fascinating. The plot of the story was different. I kept reading to find out if there ever would be a murder. The characters, Southern, were quirky but believable. I know real people like some of these. Thoroughly enjoyable.