Customer Reviews

Murder Off the Books (Sullivan Investigations Mysteries, No. 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Murder Off the Books is a great read! Suspense and humor are doled out equally. Private detective Mac Sullivan is a former cop-turned-private-eye, and his recurring appearances at his pal's funeral home to pick up whatever vehicle is available means that he conducts stake-outs with his Irish Wolfhound in anything from a hearse to an exterminator's truck. Pet lovers will respond to Whiskey, who helps as only dogs can, and I personally hope we'll hear more from JJ, Mac's initially-unwanted gal Friday. An expanded role for her in future books of the series would be great--she's fun and likable--and delightfully off-beat.

Murder Off the Books
by Evelyn David
Echelon Press Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-1-59080-522-0


A definite 5 star whodunit

Do you enjoy a mystery with suspense and a touch of humor? What about a loveable hound? And how do you like your murder mysteries? With a Whiskey Chaser? If so "Murder Off the Books" is for you, it has it all. This is the first in the Sullivan Investigation Mysteries, and with this writing duet, hopefully many more to follow.

Mac Sullivan is a private eye, and a former DC cop who frequently visits his friend's funeral home in order to pick up whatever vehicle is available at the time so he can conduct his stake outs with his loveable Irish wolfhound Whiskey. Mac has used vehicles ranging from a hearse to a pest control van which seems to be used frequently by him. Rachel Brenner is 42 and is recently divorced, she meets Mac Sullivan while he is staking out her house and following her to her new position at a funeral home. Mac and his sidekick Whiskey are looking for Rachel's brother, Dan who is a suspect in the embezzlement of money and the murder of his boss. Rachel joins forces with the attractive Mac Sullivan and his loveable assistant to help prove her brothers innocence. Of course to add a little fun Mac's wolfhound Whiskey hates cats and as luck would have it Rachel has a cat who also hates dogs.

Rachel finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation when her brother comes up missing and is a primary suspect in his bosses' murder. Rachel finds herself being able to manage and cope in ways in which she never expected, but before the end of the investigation, Rachel is finding herself in conflict with not only the killers but also with Mac Sullivan. Will Mac Sullivan find the half million that is missing? Will Rachel's brother Dan be cleared? Or did Dan take the money and kill his boss?

Murder Off the Books has fast paced action, a strong plot throughout; it provides witty believable and memorable characters. And it contains a loveable Irish wolfhound named Whiskey that has a taste for fast-food. This is such an exciting and fun book and the first in the series, I'll be sure to pick up each one to follow in this series.

This read combines suspense, mystery, and humor and is packed with twist & turns, as well as plenty of surprises along the way. It is a real page turner and demands to be completed. I highly recommend this for everyone, a must read, I honestly can't wait for the next one. So if you want a whodunit that contains non-stop action and humor look no further.

Murder Off the Books has found a way to grab most of us: humor, a well-written whodunit with wonderful, zany characters--and a dog who hates cats and a cat that hates dogs. What's not to like?

Just when you thnk you've figured it out, this talented author throws in another twist, another turn. Actually Evelyn David is the writing name for two talented writers working together. (Check out the author's Web site to see whom the two authors are).

Mac Sullivan is a retired DC cop who is now setting up his own detective agency. His dog sidekick is an Irish Wolfhound named Whiskey. He's Mac's buddy, his confidant--you get it.

Rachel Brenner is a cat lover who is recently divorced mother of a teen-age son. Her cat helps her through her mid-life crisis, like having to take her skills to work at a funeral home.

P.I. Mac is staking out Rachel's house and following her to work, because her brother (who may or may not be guilty) of murdering his boss.

The fun begins quickly n this zany and fast-paced mystery. P.I. Mac has his new job, Rachel in her job, both starting over to some degree, both learning to copy with the changes.

Of course Mac is good looking--so there's a little romance thrown in for good measure.

I hope this is the first in a long line of Sullivan Investigations Mysteries--and that the next one is ready so I don't have to wait so long to read more about these wonderful characters.

Armchair Interviews says: Great first book from this duo of gifted writers.

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-track whodunit featuring a retired gumshoe with the slang and wit of a Runyonesque character and the companionship of a Hootch-like pooch (sans Tom Hanks) - this is a great read! It's an off-the-wall, fast-talking, faster-moving, unpredictable action tale with babes, bodies, and burglars - and a storyline that takes more twists and turns than an Irish Wolfhound on the tail of a rabbit - or a murderer. Mark my word! This is the first of a rack full of successful Sullivan Investigations Mysteries.

The book was pretty good for a first offering but the continued use of characters' physical descriptions rather than their names got to be very irritating...'the teen turned' 'he told the teen' 'the private detective said' ''the lanky teen' and so on and so on and so on. It was almost as if the author(s) forgot the names they had given their characters. Maybe this was just poor editing but in anycase it took away from my enjoyment and nearly caused me to give up on the book....More importantly, maybe I fell asleep and missed the clues leading to the eventual guilty party but I don't think so. All of a sudden....bad guy without any warning. But because the characters were originally conceived I will give any second offering a chance. Just PLEASE use your characters' names!

Mackenzie "Mac" Sullivan is a retired DC cop. He is now a private investigator and takes his Irish Wolfhound Whiskey on many stakeouts. He uses the many vehicles his friend Jeff has. Jeff runs the local funeral home, but on the side he has various vehicles, including a pest control van and taxis.

Mac is trying to find a half-million dollars that has been embezzled. He works for the insurance company, but is soon hired by some teenagers to find Dan, the person the police believe is behind the embezzlement and a murder.

Mac stakes out Rachel Brenner's house. Dan is her brother. In the course of the stakeout, Mac and Rachel meet. After they discover another murder, Rachel doesn't know who to believe. Did her brother kill someone? Did he steal the money? Is he being set up? Can Rachel and Mac solve this mystery without putting themselves and her son in danger?

I loved this fast paced mystery. There are plenty of twists in the plot to keep you guessing. Mac and Rachel are both great characters. And Jeff and his zany vehicles really add to the story. Then there's Rachel's senior citizen neighbor that keeps popping up and enhancing the story.

I can't wait to read another book by this author. I highly recommend this book.

"Murder Off the Books", the debut novel by Evelyn David, demonstrates the author's unique sense of humor throughout the novel. The book is packed with suspense, humor, wit, and grief, a brilliant plot and unforgettable characters. The novel's hero is a lovable dog named Whiskey. The book keeps the reader engrossed not knowing what is going to happen next. A great read.

This book was fast paced, well written and believable! An engaging cast of well fleshed out characters draw you into the story and keep you enthralled until the last page. When is the next one coming out??

"One howling good whodunit, and a terrific debut. Murder Off the Books offers a plot as twisty and fast as an Irish Wolfhound. Whiskey joins the ranks of beloved four-footed sleuths. Great fun!" Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar finalist, Anthony Winner, and author of All Mortal Flesh.

"This is a zany, fast-paced, well-written mystery by two very talented writers who combine their gifts under the name of Evelyn David...a page-turning mystery that begs to be read at one sitting. Well developed characters, a tight plot, and power-punched verbiage make this mystery a delightful read. Even when you think the mystery is solved, the ending has just one more final, amusing and exciting twist. Can't wait for the sequel." Reviewed by Astra Publishers
"Murder Off the Books should definitely win the award for 'Best Performance by a Wolfhound since The Hound of the Baskervilles.' In this quirky mystery, comic relief is provided by the heroine's unusual job and hero's constantly rotating fleet of undercover vehicles (most notably a pest control van). Recently divorced Rachel Brenner meets Mackenzie 'Mac' Sullivan, a private investigator who is staking out her house and following her to her new job at a funeral home. Always accompanied by Whiskey, a charming Irish wolfhound, Mac is looking for Rachel brother, who is a suspect in a murder investigation. Rachel begins to enjoy the single life, and finds herself able to cope in ways she never suspected, when she joins forces with the attractive Mac and his charming assistant, Whiskey, to find the real killer and prove her brother's innocence." Lynne Murray, author of A Ton of Trouble and other Josephine Fuller mysteries.

"Evelyn David's Murder Off The Books is suspenseful, fast moving, and funny. Her protagonist, Rachel Brenner, a 42-year old divorcee and mother of a teenaged son, is the type who, when hiding in a closet from an intruder, wonders who'll get her costume jewelry and mis-matched china after she's dead. When Rachel's brother goes missing and is suspected of murdering his boss, Rachel finds herself involved in a criminal investigation that brings her into contact with private investigator Mac Sullivan and his dog Whiskey. Before the mystery is solved, Rachel is up to her ears in conflicts with both Sullivan and killers and needs all of her wit and grit to survive. Readers should enjoy this entertaining tale." Philip Craig, author, Dead in Vineyard Sand and other Martha's Vineyard Mysteries.


"A breezy read from beginning to end, Murder Off the Books will keep you turning the pages well into the night. Funny and fast-paced, with engaging characters and clever dialogue, the story showcases the talents and foibles of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation. Deft plotting, fine writing and a wicked sense of humor make Murder Off the Books a most promising debut." - Nancy McKenzie, author of Queen of Camelot, Grail Prince, and Guinevere's Gift.

"Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David is a well-crafted, skillfully done, roaring great romp of a novel filled with intrigue, suspense, a smidge of romance, and a number of good shocks and exciting twists and turns, and it somehow makes the art of cooking the books as fascinating as the investigation itself. I for one look forward to more mysteries from Ms. David." -Robert W. Walker, author of Psi Blue, Deja Blue & City for Ransom Hope.

Murder off The books, was a face paced great read. Filled with humor,twists & turns. It was a perfect who-dun-it. I anticpate Murder takes the cake this spring!