Here's to the Newly Dead [Mass Market Paperback]

B. J. Oliphant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1997

WHEN MURDER PAYS A VISIT, THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.

They were scarcely more than children, these lovebirds lying dead in a New Mexico canyon. Shirley McClintock, owner of the Santa Fe guest ranch where they were staying, is baffled by the tragedy. Especially when almost everything about the couple turns out to be false, except the thousand-dollar bills they spent so lavishly.

Who were these mysterious newlyweds, and why are so many people looking for them? Shirley finds out the hard way--after more murder and the resurrection of an excruciating tragedy from her own past. . . .

"Shirley's a winner, and so is Ms. Oliphant."
--The New York Times Book Review

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When she's not writing clever mysteries about Denver antiques-dealer Jason Lynx under her A. J. Orde byline, or knocking out science fiction as Sheri S. Tepper, B. J. Oliphant creates plausible, likeable stories about a Santa Fe guest-ranch proprietor named Shirley McClintock. Her latest in that series involves a young couple spending money as if they were going to die tomorrow--which they do, leaving Shirley to find out why.

From the Inside Flap

WHEN MURDER PAYS A VISIT, THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.

They were scarcely more than children, these lovebirds lying dead in a New Mexico canyon. Shirley McClintock, owner of the Santa Fe guest ranch where they were staying, is baffled by the tragedy. Especially when almost everything about the couple turns out to be false, except the thousand-dollar bills they spent so lavishly.

Who were these mysterious newlyweds, and why are so many people looking for them? Shirley finds out the hard way--after more murder and the resurrection of an excruciating tragedy from her own past. . . .

"Shirley's a winner, and so is Ms. Oliphant."
--The New York Times Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (July 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449149927
• ISBN-13: 978-0449149928
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #754,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love (and Death) Is in the Air, September 17, 2002

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here's to the Newly Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the chief charms of Sheri Teppi's books written under the name of B. J. Oliphant is the basic decency of her series characters. Shirley McClintock, the protagonist in this series, her friends A.J. and Xianthippe and her foster daughter Alison, form a warm and loving extended family. Their strong moral values at time contrast sharply with the selfish and willful people they encounter. But don't take this to mean that their values are conservative. They are more based on commen sense and kindness than any particular religious or political stance.

At the time of this story the guest ranch has a pair of selfish and annoying young newly weds as guests. There is another wedding in the offing because Shirley has broken one of her rules and agreed to rent the ranch as the background for a society wedding. The bride and the bride's obnoxious mother are adding to the disturbed atmosphere-- later to be joined by a couple hundred guests, a mariachi band, a dance band, a photographer, caterer and wedding coordinator.

Before this happens though, the first young couple decided to plant a tree to symbolize their relationship. They ask to borrow a spade and Shirley tells them they can have an old trenching tool to use. Instead they take her new shovel, a gift from A.J. That, as much as anything, sends Shirley on their trail when they don't return to the guest house.

Oliphant starts out with what seems a simple crime, but investigation results in greater and greater complexity as characters and background are added. Each addition helps to fill the puzzle out until at last a satisfactory conclusion is acheived.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Here's to the Newly Dead, April 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to the Newly Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

As BJ Oliphant or Sheri Tepper, the stories are always creative and engaging. Her mysteries are far less complex than her science fiction/fantasy books, but no less enjoyable. It is amazing that Ms. Tepper is so prolific and still such a good writer. This book is quite fun. I enjoyed the characters and the town. The main character is someone I would like to meet, but then she seems like she could be quite a lot like the author.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner in this series, January 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to the Newly Dead (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a big fan of Shirley McClintock and her family. I've read every one as soon as I could get my hands on them, and reread each so many times I'm afraid I will have to replace the books soon from sheer wear and tear. Shirley is the non politically correct, common sense first opposite of every fluff headed "heroine" that clutter too many mysteries. The mysteries are clever and beguiling but it is the the people in the books I want to know more about. They are real, flawed, full flavored, and interesting. My only complaint is that Ms Oliphant cannot, under the present law, be forced to write more, more, more.