Customer Reviews

Leave Me Gasping (A Del Jakes Mystery)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

T.C. Beacham's first mystery, Leave Me Gasping, introduces, Del,a delightful new heroine in a charming, fast pace mystery. Set along the atmospheric Gulf Coast of Florida, Del finds herself drawn into a mystery concerning a friend who's gone missing, and some nasty police officers who don't seem to want her found. With the help of an assortment of friends, relatives, and hot new love, Del sets out to track down the clues to save her friend, and discover some things about herself along the way. The mystery is engrossing, the characters likeable, and Beacham's writing is first rate. What more could you want in a book? Great reading!

This was a light thriller. Del Jakes is called to Florida after a childhood friend goes missing and the local police refuse to help. There are plenty of suspects to keep things interesting including a rogue cop and, separately, his brother who is a neighbor of the missing woman. But someone is trying to keep Del from looking for her friend.

There is good character development and the characters are quirky and interesting.
This is not a high tension or face paced thriller but it is an enjoyable read. It reminds me of the style of Sue Grafton or Patricia Cornwell. I am looking forward to more of Del Jakes and hopefully her friends as well.

Del Jakes is ready to cast off her widow's weeds and start living again when she is pulled in to help investigate the disappearance of a childhood friend.

The author's website is [...], but this is more than just a book for the beach. It's great holiday/vacation reading regardless of the season and location. I read Leave Me Gasping in one sitting, curled up on the couch in front of the fire.

A fast-paced and entertaining mystery. Check it out.

Loved this book. Great read, brought back my own high school years and the zany things teen age girls get into.

A great who-done-it.

Nice setting, a plot that keeps you guessing and a likeable heroine. I found it hard to put down. A perfect read for curling up on a rainy day!

While certainly not perfect, this was just what the author said, an enjoyable summer read. I liked that the lead character seemed to be a woman of approximately my age, middle age plus or minus, a rarity. The other characters she interacted with were of differing ages and that lent charm to her quest. I also liked the description of Gulf Coast living, from interior decor to an intense rain shower, it gave a great sense of place.

This was a nice new mystery with a likeable heroine/sleuth. Del is pleasantly middle-aged, but hasn't slowed down. She's had a varied, and not always happy, life. That gives her a great deal more depth than the usual stereotypical damsel-in-distress amateur detective.

This isn't quite a 'cozy' mystery, but it's far, far from being hard-boiled. Even though the basic story and plot sticks pretty closely to genre stereotypes, this still comes across as quite fresh and is a very easy & pleasant read. I'd gladly follow the further adventures of Del Jakes if/when they become available.

Wonderful read, enjoyed every minute, full of suspense and mystery.Leave Me Gasping (A Del Jakes Mystery) looking forward to reading more by this author.
Mary Ann

Not even finished with this book, and have been looking already for the sequel. I love this book! Well written, great pace, fantastic character development. I want Del to move back to Florida to continue her adventures. If this is a first by this author, then bravo/ brava! Keep em coming.

Supalonnie

I thoroughly enjoyed this new series. The main character was very likable, as were her friends, and the story well written. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.