Five Star First Edition Mystery - Worse Than Death [Hardcover]

Barbara J. Ferrenz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star First Edition Mystery | Publication Date: May 2, 2003

Theodora Zed dresses the part of the gothic author wearing heavy make-up and tight leather skirts, then heads home to her life as Mary Kate Flaherty, suburban wife and mother. At a horror convention, Mary Kate is implicated in a murder. Mary Kate has to find the murderer before another victim is claimed, but when life and horror mix, can she be sure to sort out what's real and what isn't?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The heroine of Ferrenz's debut novel is mild-mannered mom Mary Kate Flaherty by day and leather-clad Goth writer Theodora Zed by night. Mary Kate lives in the suburbs of Baltimore but travels across the country for book signings and conventions. When a man who criticized Mary Kate's vampire novels at a Cleveland convention is found dead with puncture holes in his neck, she is a perfect suspect. But as more bodies turn up, it becomes clear that a serial "Vampire Killer" is on the loose. As she searches for the killer, Mary Kate must deal with her crumbling marriage, unhappy boys, and a male friend who wants to be more. A bumbling heroine who lacks grace and often embarrasses herself, Mary Kate is likable largely because of her very human flaws. Ferrenz's descriptions of horror conventions are rich in vivid detail and will enthrall fans of the genre. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A bumbling heroine who lacks grace and often embarrasses herself, Mary Kate is likable largely because of her very human flaws. Ferrenz's descriptions of horror conventions are rich in vivid detail and will enthrall fans of the genre."
-- Booklist (June 2003) (Booklist )

" ... a pleasant amateur sleuth tale."
-- Book Crossing (Book Crossing )

" ...a fine reading experience."
-- New and Used Books (New and Used Books )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 253 pages
• Publisher: Five Star; 1 edition (May 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786253959
• ISBN-13: 978-0786253951
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,536,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected twists and turns, June 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Worse Than Death (Hardcover)

Mary Kate, also known as Theodora Zed, Queen of the Vampires, is a mid-list writer of vampire romances. Theo promotes her books at weekend horror conventions and bookstore signings, much to the disgust of her husband, who would much rather have a conventional wife, and the embarrassment of her children, whose friends pass around her books at school. For Theo, promotion is just part of the job.

But, when a writer who insulted her at one of her panels turns up dead, though, Theodora has a motive and looks like a suspect. Or perhaps she's being targeted as one of the next victims. The Vampire Killer always seems to know where she is, and strange things keep happening when she and fellow writer Connor are in the vicinity.

This is a fun, fast paced mystery with unexpected twists and turns. The central characters are well drawn and credible. Mary Kate, although perhaps a bit naive, is a woman of integrity, determined to do the right thing no matter what. Descriptions of her circle of friends and acquaintances in the writing and publishing community struck a familiar chord. I am looking forward to reading more books by Barbara Ferrenz.

5.0 out of 5 stars A vampire writer with fangs, April 7, 2007

By 

PJ Morrone "Pat" (Maryland (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Worse Than Death (Hardcover)

All I could say when I was finished was "why didn't I see that coming?" A great story by a very talented writer. I was going to give this 4 stars out of anger, because Ferrenz didn't give me MORE!!!

One writer to another -- Great job Barb!

5.0 out of 5 stars Sex, Lies and Psychos, July 29, 2003

By 

Douglas Isokait (Laurel, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Worse Than Death (Hardcover)

Worse Than Death is a glimpse into the bizarre subculture of the devotees and the wannabe authors of the horror writers convention circuit. The protagonist of this interesting and well-plotted story of deceit, infidelity and homicidal pathology is an anonymous mother and housewife, Mary Kate. She haunts the meat counter at the Farm Fresh supermarket and strip mall pharmacy blighting the tranquil tobacco country of her southern Maryland suburb. But Mary Kate bangs out pulp vampire novels in the upstairs chambers of her old house. The reader is warned early in the story of the strains in her marriage. She has kissed her husband, hugged her children and flown off to a few too many conventions. There she squeezes into thin black leather and balances on stiletto heels and joins her fellow struggling authors. As vampire author Theodora Zed she stokes the fantasies of the fans who swarm like flies to themes of sex and murder.

Barbara Ferrenz crafts a very creditable story as neck-punctured bodies follow her to city after city. There is no shortage of suspects. Her husband has grown distant. A former priest pilgrimages against her brand of Satanism. Her fans only just contain their adolescent sexuality as they gaze on Theodore's tightly wrapped chest. Her best friend's boyfriend lusts for her, protecting her even as they are stalked by an unknown killer.

The story is a quick moving engagement of the unexpected with the ordinary. In the end everything is as it should be, but nothing is the same.