Customer Reviews

More Bitter Than Death (Emma Fielding Mysteries, No. 5)

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This is the fifth in the series about archaeologist Dr. Emma Fielding. New readers could start with this book, although having read the previous books enables some better character insight. Emma is attending a conference where she expects to give a presentation, catch up with old friends, and maybe buy a few books. What she doesn't expect is the reappearance of an old flame, and the death of an almost-enemy. Of course Emma is going to become one of the chief suspects. I liked the politicking, the gossip, and the reluctance of the police to let Emma know anything at all about what they were doing. I also liked the resolution of the mystery; while the clues were there, I didn't pick up on them while reading. I confess that I get Dana Cameron confused with Beverly Connor, they seem to have very similar protagonists. And this book won't be one that really sticks in my mind, it's too similar to too many others in the genre. But it's a nice satisfying read, I'll keep it as I have the others in the series and be happy to buy the next, and in a few years when I'm casting through my shelves I'll probably go through the whole set again.

Dr. Emma Fielding is attending an archaeology conference. Some of the most respected and noted names in the business are attending to celebrate the work of legendary Julius Garrison. The snow has piled high outside the hotel, but the conference attendees' tempers seem to be even higher.

Emma came expecting to simply give a paper, listen to some papers, get reacquainted with friends, and buy a lot of archaeology books that she did not really need. Instead, Emma must deal with seeing Dr. Duncan Thayer, who jilted her long ago, watch cantankerous old Garrison be bitter to everyone unfortunate enough to meet him, and wonder why someone is stealing worthless pieces of jewelry and such.

When Garrison's lifeless body is found outside the snow-bound inn, Emma learns that she is one of the top suspects. Emma must put her archaeological skills together with her new forensic teachings to figure it all out - before SHE becomes the next lifeless body.

**** This is the fifth mystery for Emma. Each book is stand alone; however, if you read them in order you may watch the character actually mature in the role. Since the author, Dana Cameron, is a professional archaeologist, she is able to make the entire story very realistic. You cannot help but envision the main character puzzling away. Excellent series! This is a terrific addition. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Dr. Emma Fielding is attending an archaeology conference. Some of the most respected and noted names in the business are attending to celebrate the work of legendary Julius Garrison. The snow has piled high outside the hotel, but the conference attendees' tempers seem to be even higher.

Emma came expecting to simply give a paper, listen to some papers, get reacquainted with friends, and buy a lot of archaeology books that she did not really need. Instead, Emma must deal with seeing Dr. Duncan Thayer, who jilted her long ago, watch cantankerous old Garrison be bitter to everyone unfortunate enough to meet him, and wonder why someone is stealing worthless pieces of jewelry and such.

When Garrison's lifeless body is found outside the snow-bound inn, Emma learns that she is one of the top suspects. Emma must put her archaeological skills together with her new forensic teachings to figure it all out - before SHE becomes the next lifeless body.

**** This is the fifth mystery for Emma. Each book is stand alone; however, if you read them in order you may watch the character actually mature in the role. Since the author, Dana Cameron, is a professional archaeologist, she is able to make the entire story very realistic. You cannot help but envision the main character puzzling away. Excellent series! This is a terrific addition. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Well, now we know. Going to archeological conferences is just as deadly dull as Bar Association meetings are. Or any other professional conference, I suspect. Only the insiders find them fun.

I've read and thoroughly enjoyed any number of the Dana Cameron books -- all the previous ones took place at a dig, and they were unfailingly interesting. Unfortunately, this one has a different setting, and it's caused Miz Cameron to come down with a serious case of the Martha Grimes Syndrome -- when you create an allegedly fascinating group of characters, and then get so bogged down in writing witty repartee among them, that you forget that somewhere under all that dung, there's supposed to be a plot.

I started skimming after about the third hour that poor Emma was sitting in a bar, somewhere, trying to make nice with her professional colleagues. Heck, even SHE didn't want to be there. At least I had a choice.

I hope next time, Emma's out at a dig again -- and safe from the deadly sniping of a million collegial tongues.

An academic meeting is deadly in its own-self. If you've ever attended one you will recognize all the stock characters that are taken from real life.
What Emma Fielding didn't expect in Dana Cameron's MORE BITTER THAN DEATH is that the honoree would end up murder and she would join the list of suspects. For a change of pace Ms. Cameron brings out a new/old love interest for Emma if she can solve the murder before becoming a victim.
Not as intricate as others in the series, but still a fun read.
Nash Black, author of QUALIFYING LAPS.

This book couldn't decide what it wanted to be---I got tired of it and gave up 3/4 of the way through.