Customer Reviews

Murder for Beltene: A Beltene Family Mystery (...Dressed Like a Mystery, with Fantasy Lingerie...)

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

 

 

Funny debut novel about the Clan Beltene of Sevyrn Michigan. The Beltenes, a family of Welsh descent, have been in the area for centuries and basically control it financially and politically, due to certain peculiarities in their nature. Rhiannon Beltene has just been chosen The Beltene, the leader of the family and its fortunes. This is a role that gets passed around periodically to the eldest "Unchanged" member of the family.

Rhiannon, however, is initially not happy with being The Beltene. She is a writer of popular vampire fiction, and has never been that deeply involved with family matters. All that changes when a series of dead bodies start showing up around town, with incision marks on their necks and the bodies drained of blood, and their deaths dedicated to Rhiannon. Advance notice of the murders was sent to the tabloids and they have descended upon the town en masse. To complicate matters, there is a new Sheriff, Daniel Thorpe (who is not of Welsh descent, nor is he a local), chosen by the older members of her family (one of whom is the mayor), and who is unaware of the true nature of the Beltenes. Unfortunately for Dan, he doesn't know that the elders are also playing matchmaker - Rhiannon does, and she's not pleased by it.

The Beltene family is large, but Ms. Brewer kindly gives the reader a cast of characters, maps and floor plans at the beginning of the book to quickly orient the reader. This was one of those books that when it ends, you're surprised that it's over. Hopefully the sequel won't be long in arriving.

On her way to the store for her nightly soft ice cream cone fix, Rhiannon Beltene finds a dead body on the path that cuts through her family's woods. The victim's anonymity alone is strange in the quiet town of Sevyrn, located in Brennan County in Michigan's Upper peninsula. However, the circumstances of his death -- Drained of blood with puncture wounds in the neck, the body appears to have been killed by a vampire. -- make it clear that Rhi, a successful writer of vampire fiction, has acquired a rather dangerous admirer. As the start to bodies appear regularly Rhi finds herself forced to deal with Brennan County's new Sheriff who has serious reservations about one of Rhi's cousins. Trysan sleeps in a coffin and enjoys vampire fantasies. Despite a pressing deadline for her next novel, Rhi is forced to set her writing aside to assist the investigation and comes to accept her responsibilities as "The Beltene" or head of Clan Beltene, a family of Welsh descent that has been in Brennan County since the 1780s.

The mystery itself takes a back seat to the mystery of the Beltene family and as the reader meets an interesting assortment of clan members -- from mercenaries to lawyers to Catholic priests to long practicing (definately not "neo") Druids -- it quickly becomes clear that nothing is quite as it appears. Brewer's characters are funny, intelligent, and more than a little odd . . .. This is Brewer's first novel featuring the Beltene clan, and with any luck, it won't be the last such book that we get from Brewer.

It only takes a few pages of Murder for Beltene to realize that these are definitely characters worth spending an evening with! The Clan Beltene, a family of Welsh druids, has lived in Michigan since before Michigan was part of the United States. But you won't see them running around the woods in long robes; they've adapted to the modern world quite well, bringing their unique family perspective to such occupations as doctor, county prosecutor, judge, artist, even vampire novelist. Even without the mystery, this book would be enjoyable for the characters. The mystery - who's leaving embalmed bodies around the town in honor of Rhiannon Beltene, best-selling author of vampire novels and reluctant head of the Beltene clan? Is this murder spree leading up to an attack on Rhiannon? Will the family castle soon be under seige? Sandra Brewer paints an interesting, and accurate, picture of life in a small Michigan town, peopling it with the type of "characters" so many of our little villages seem to have in abundance. They're goofy, cantankerous, and very real. And lest anyone think this is only a book for fans of horror, fantasy, or vampire novels, let me set you straight on that. I don't read horror or vampire novels, and not much fantasy, but I enjoyed Murder for Beltene and I'll be waiting for the next installment on this unique family. Yes, there is material about druids and vampires, but it fits in so well with today's society that I'm not left rolling my eyes. I have, however, been tempted to pull out my Atlas of Michigan and try to figure out just where "Up North" Sevyrn really is. This is a novel for fans of hometown mysteries, too.

In Brennan County, Michigan lies the sleepy town of Sevyrn. However, the normal looking hamlet actually serves as the seat of power for Clan Beltene, a group of Druids hiding their power from the world. The head of the clan is Rhiannon Beltene who makes decisions on behalf of her entire community while being a very popular author of vampire novels.

New sheriff Dan Thorpe immediately faces a series of murders in which the victim's blood is drained from their necks, contains puncture marks, and their body is embalmed. A companion note states that the corpses are courting gifts of love to Rhiannon. Since Dan is involved in family business, the clan initiates him as a clan member in a ceremony called the "welcoming." This allows him access to all Beltene business. As the body count rises, Rhianon's life becomes endangered by a deadly but unknown obsessed being.

Anyone who enjoys Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter or the Diana Tregarde series will gain much pleasure from reading MURDER FOR BELTENE as well as previously released related short stories. The story line contains much information involving the occult, but never loses sight of the superbly developed who-done-it. This combination provides a crossover appeal to fans of horror, urban fantasy, and mystery. Sandra Brewer has created a unique lead character and family that will make her a fan favorite.

I hope I can do this humorous, distinctive mystery justice because I really had fun reading it. What we have here is a possible paranormal mystery that meets up with a historically preserved Clan from Wales.

Rhiannon Beltene writes vampire novels. She even has a web page for her books. She is also the Beltene of the Clan Beltene -- a family that resides in a castle in Michigan. I think I can safely say they exist with old fashion ways that extend centuries back from Wales and past generations. Things begin to change for the Beltene Clan when bloodless bodies start showing up with two marks on the neck and the sleaze press arrives at the sheriffs' office because they are being notified before the murders happen. Wait, there's more. Since the sheriff has just retired, Rhiannon and the Clan have to officially "Welcome" the new sheriff sooner then their family tradition normally would. It's the only way they can let him in on their family secrets, which might help to solve the case. And when I say "welcome" I don't mean your typically, knock on the door, cake in hand, welcome to Brennan County, Michigan kind of "welcome."

Ms Brewer has written short stories of the Clan Beltene. This is her first mystery novel including them. I think it's going to be one of the most talked about mysteries in the traditional and historical circles.

This book is great fun. Ms. Brewer writes a good mystery with wonderful excentric people. She creates a whole new background that seems just like the people and places that you know but with a lovely twist. I'm sorry if I misspelled Charlotte MacCload's name but she truely reminds me of the New England excentrics of Charlotte's books.

Sorry I never give up any of the books intimate pieces - well why read a book that's been thoroughly spoiled. But I highly recommend spending time with the Beltenes as great fun and time well spent! - Sr. Cyndy

I found myself unable to put this book down until I found out just this next little bit and then another and another until I had reached the end...or is it the beginning of a series?

The book has flaws typical of a first novel, too many characters and information overload. It is NOT an easy quick read and while it is also not serious, snooty "great modern literature" it is definitely worth the effort.

I want to read more about the family and town. The characters were well drawn and engaging. In some ways I was reminded of the "Cat Who" series, quirky characters in a UP setting but with a definite twist. The murders from this book are solved but I still have many questions about the side issues I want answered. My biggest complaint? Where can I get my hands on the more by this author?!

I loved this book. I have re-read it many times. I would also love to see more books about the Beletene Family. It appears very unfair that one review is listed twice and apparently counted in the book rating twice.

Transplant an extremely (make that very extremely) long-lived Welsh family to the far north of Michigan and have them spend the next two centuries settling in until they have a county all their own. Throw in a serial killer who thinks he is a vampire undertaker, and you have the basic material for Sandra Brewer's first mystery novel, 'Murder for Beltene.' You can blame the first part on Grandmama. She performed a Druid sacrifice in 71 AD and in doing so founded the Beltene family. Now they are here in the U.S., and anxious to preserve their anonymity.

Rhiannon Beltene, as the eldest unchanged family member, is the temporal head of the Beltene clan. A task for which she has little liking. What Rhiannon does like to do is write vampire fiction, as which she does extremely well. Unfortunately, our serial killer has decided to leave Rhiannon a set of blood-drained corpses as gifts. Not only does this attract the unwelcome presence of the tabloids, but now Rhiannon must also deal with the new sheriff of Brennan County. Daniel Thorpe is not an overly difficult man, but he has not been in the Beltene realm long enough to be properly Welcomed (make that bespelled), and is thus denied access to information that would help him to solve the case.

Rhiannon's problem is managing a family of rowdy characters, solving the problem of Daniel Thorpe, and keeping the family secret from becoming front-page news. Sheriff Thorpe's problem is finding a serial killer who produces bloodless corpses out of nowhere. The reader's challenge is dealing with a magic besprinkled mystery story without drowning in a welter of Welsh forenames. There are a few moments when this becomes a cozy tale for the terminally tongue twisted.

Do not get me wrong! Given the relative impossibility of the basic premise of Brewer's story, this is still genuinely interesting and enjoyable fiction. This is an intentionally humorous story, and the Welsh overload simply makes it more fun. Fortunately, Brewer provides and extensive list of characters, with pronunciation. Maps are supplied as well, but all to no avail. The story is a good deal more about the Beltene family and the town of Sevyrn than it is about the killings. The only real flaw is that Brewer is a bit too fond of red herrings. This tale screams 'first of a series,' and I am looking forward to further adventures among the Druids of Northern Michigan.

I'm still trying to finish this book, desperately hoping it gets better. An avid reader of many fiction and non-fiction genres, I very rarely give up on a book entirely. However, I am 100+ pages into this one and still have no feeling for any of the characters.

The cumbersome cast of extended family members breeze in and out of the text, neither adding to the storyline nor developing their characters. While the main character's internal thoughts and reflections read fairly well, conversations between characters feel aimless and meandering. This may be attributable to the author's inexperience.

I am a big fan of this and similar genres. I want to like this book, but it has not impressed me yet.