7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this very much!, October 18, 2006
This mystery is an easy, entertaining read that keeps you guessing until the end. It's apparent the author spent a lot of her time with Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich novels before launching her own efforts. Jane Kelly is a definite amalgam of Kinsey Millhone and Stephanie Plum. Fortunately, I love them both and I've enjoyed sampling this author's efforts! It's a fun story, and Jane's family and lovelife woes are entertaining side dishes. I've not read her first novel, so I'll be getting that immediately. One caution: don't take the jacket cover description to heart. I've no idea what novel the person who wrote it had read! Enjoy.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful mystery!, October 12, 2006
Jane Kelly, Information Specialist, working toward her private investigator license, has been spending her time delivering warrants and eviction notices. One minute she thinks she can handle anything, but the next she is second-guessing her abilities.
Working for a small investigative company where Dwayne Durbin is her boss and friend, she stumbles into a hornet's nest of crazies. Dwayne is working on a divorce case that involves a well-known family in town. The Purcells have a history related to their developing some of the first buildings and businesses in the city. Lots of wheeling and dealing have made the family wealthy. Their matriarch, Orchid, is in her 90s and controls the purse strings.
Our gal Jane Kelly has been asked to do some research work on the family for the divorce case. An unexpected call comes in from one of the Purcells asking for the help of a female Investigator on a separate issue. Since Jane knows the history on the Purcells, she is sent to take care of the assignment. Dwayne tells her to be careful and warns her that all the Purcell's are all crazy.
Jane meets with Jazz Purcell, who is more handsome than allowed, and gets her assignment. He wants her to observe Orchid Purcell, his grandmother, and determine if the old lady is losing it. Jazz wants to know if she is getting senile and no longer r capable of managing the family fortune. All the other family members want to have Orchid sign a Power of Attorney so they can claim the money.
The family is full of interesting characters all trying to get their hands on the money--some sinister and others, run-of-the mill weird. Jane gets in the thick of things and solves a murder and near murders and manages to have some romance too. Who will it be in the end? Bush keeps us guessing the whole time.
Nancy Bush has found a character in Jane Kelly that will have a long life as a private investigator, snooping under and around every nook and cranny. I am looking forward to the next case.
Armchair Interview says: Another delightful cozy mystery.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable overall, October 4, 2006
I really enjoyed this book, although I did have a bit of confusion fitting the first scene into the timeline of the story. The mystery portion of the book was well written and kept me guessing throughout the book. Unlike a previous reviewer, I appreciate the storyline with Jane's mother, brother, and his fiancée. I feel that this helps to build the character of Jane, and lets the reader get some insight into what makes her tick. If every move and conversation of the book was directly related to "who done it," there wouldn't be a lot of suspense when it came to the ending. And this background material helps to build relationships which could be important in other books in the series.
I did have a bit of a problem with the description on the inside cover of the book. It mentioned events that don't occur until 250+ pages into the book, and one thing that I don't recall ever happening. I felt that this gave away too much of the plot, and would have preferred something more like what is listed on this page describing the book.
Overall I thought this was an interesting read, and I look forward to finding out what comes next in the life of Jane and company.
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