Customer Reviews

No Such Thing As A Secret: A Brandy Alexander Mystery

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've got great news: there's a new amateur sleuth on the block and she's funny, literate, impulsive and wry. This native Philly girl stampeding into your life is named Brandy Alexander but blame her odd parents for that, not the girl herself. Author Shelly Fredman scored a hit with this new series.

Brandy has a big-city job in L.A. presenting human interest stories on a local TV show. That kept her away from Philadelphia for four years; that and the urge to be far away from the sexy cop ex-boyfriend who dumped her. Now she's back for her best friend's wedding, but life conspires to throw Brandy into a dangerous stew of corrupt politics, threats, murder, and romance.

The mystery plot is creative and full of false trails, but the real stars here are the impetuous Brandy and her beautifully-drawn South Philly family and friends. Swear to God, you'll think you're there with the gang. Johnny Marchiano, up to his ears in danger for reasons yet to be discovered. Franny Di Angelo, the bride-to-be, and her twin sister Janine. Brother Paulie, Uncle Frankie and his girlfriend Carla ... I've never been to South Philly but I'd know this crowd anywhere; each and every one has Brandy's back, no matter how they roll their eyes at her sarcasm.

In no time Brandy puts herself in harm's way with her amateur investigating. There's plenty of hatchet-and-gun danger but her heart's at risk too. There's the ex-boyfriend, still hot but with a wife and child (currently MIA). Oh, and the heart-stoppingly sexy Nick Santiago, riding shotgun on her forays to the underbelly of the city. Sleep-deprived and on a permanent sugar rush from her chocolate habit, Brandy somehow manages to keep her head and get to the bottom of the trouble. (You all understand the genre, so I trust that won't be a spoiler.)

This book works in so many ways: terrific first-person narrative from a crazy-girl-next-door heroine, a stellar supporting cast, the back-story threaded through nicely rather than served up in a dry lump, teasers for the next book in the series. My favorite thing about NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET: A Brandy Alexander Mystery is the underlying subtlety and intelligence that kicks it up a notch from beach reading to something just a bit more.

And the best news of all is that there are already two more Brandy Alexander books in print, which are on their way to my mailbox right now. Author Shelly Fredman had better be planning a long writing career because her fans are going to demand it of her.

Linda Bulger, 2008

Shelly Fredman is right up there with Evanovich. The characters had charisma, and the relationships were rich and fun to watch unfold. Great story and I really enjoyed reading this book. Look forward to her next book.

There's a new wise-cracking, romanically inept, crime-solver in town and her name is Brandy Alexander. She joins the ranks of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Dianne Mott Davidson's Goldy Schultz as the newest would-be detective and all around cool girl. Brandy's first-person narrative gives light to her hilarious and usually embarassing inner-thoughts, making the book fun, original and personable. No Such Thing as a Secret is GREAT.

_No Such Thing as a Secret_ is a hilarious book about a twenty-something woman named Brandy Alexander who goes back to her hometown of Philadelphia (from L.A. where she has been living for a few years), and while she's there she ends up involved not only in a murder mystery, but also a couple of love triangles... _No Such Thing as a Secret_ is filled with quick, natural dialogue; characters you feel like _you_ grew up with; lots of really funny inner monologue; and tons of non-cheesy "local color." Additionally, the mystery is complex but not overly so (a la Janet Evanovich) and I found it highly satisfying as not only a mystery, but as a comedic romance and a slice-of-life.

Shelly Fredman's novel No Such Thing as a Secret is a very funny, well-thought out mystery. Brandy Alexander is the quintessential Philly girl--tough but sensitive, caring but sarcastic, impulsive but surrounded by people who look out for her. Brandy's love interests are what dreams are made of (especially Nick Santiago!!) and her friends are the kinda people you'd meet in a typical South Philly dive. For fans of serial mysteries with lots of humor and a touch of romance, I highly recommend No Such Thing as a Secret.

What is a woman who is half Jewish, half Catholic, named after an alcoholic beverage and a porn star like? She is Brandy Alexander, a wannabe investigative journalist, a little quirky, a lot of fun, hilarious and absolutely loveable.

Brandy has been in Los Angeles for the past four years covering fluff assignments that pay the bills, but don't really satisfy her longing for harder edged investigative reporting. She comes home to Philly to be in a friend's wedding and soon finds herself trying to solve a murder.

Coming back to Philly brings Brandy face to face with the ex that forced her to leave her home town in the first place. Bobby is a sexy cop who just happens to be married with child now. Helping Brandy with her amateur investigating is a mysterious man of many talents, Nick Santiago.

Throughout the book the sexual chemistry is bubbling. Bobby and Brandy have a lot of unresolved issues and leftover feelings. Nick and Brandy have instant heat and a whole lot of new territory to cover.

This was a brilliant introduction to what I hope will be a long running and thoroughly entertaining series. I found the characters to be refreshing and completely genuine. These were all people you'd expect to meet or already know in your own town, people you'd love to hang out with on a Friday night. In between all the laughs and chemistry was an intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages long after my body wanted to sleep. I started this book last night and finished it this morning; I didn't want to put it down and did only when absolutely necessary.

No Such Thing As A Secret was laugh out loud funny and a completely engaging read. All I can say is thankfully I have book two, No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date: A Brandy Alexander Mystery, already on my book shelves, because I can hardly wait to tear into it. I was in a book slump... and this book rescued me; Shelly Fredman has a brand new fan.

Cherise Everhard, August 2007

Shelly Fredman is a former Philadelphian who writes, teaches, elementary school, and loves chocolate, Philadelphia, and an active imagination. She has previously published CREEPS, a young-adult novel, and is presently working on a sequel to NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET. Shelly's motto is that "Reality is for people who lack imagination." Her second motto is that chocolate is good for you and you can never eat too much.

Brandy Alexander has returned from her puff reporting job in L.A. after a four year absence in Philadelphia. She left behind her love and soulmate, Robert Anthony DiCarlo, who married and had a child in her absence. While she is busy being joyfully reunited with her Phillie friends, her best friend, John, is apparently killed in a boating accident. Brandy witnesses the explosion, and her life changes dramatically. She decides to hunt down the killer, with Bobby (the police officer) challenging her every step of the way. Is Bobby involved in police graft or a coverup? Brandy enlist the aid of sexy Nick Santiago to help her as she enters the underworld of Philadelphia:

"The music pulsated in the background, permeating the air we breathed. Nick stared at me, and I flushed under his gaze. Damn, isn't there some kind of pill you can take for congenital blushing? I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Wordlessly, he stood and stretched his arm out to me. 'I'm not a very good dancer,' I apologized. 'Neither am I,' he said, as he took me in his arms. Liar."

First off, Shelly Fredman is a hilarious writer! She has such a warm style of writing that the reader can't help but be pulled in as her Phillie friends rejoice in Brandy's return. But make no mistake, this plot is serious and confusing. Brandy Alexander takes the reader on a ride not soon to be forgotten. There is political corruption; danger everywhere; and Brandy has to transform from a feature reporter to an earnest investigator. But Fredman doesn't stop there. She surrounds Brandy with two luscious men, both vying for her attention. Brandy herself is lovably unaware of their intentions, but ultra-aware of their sexuality.

NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET is a titillating mystery full of fun and mayhem. There is a rich under-texture that separates the story from other authors and thus makes it a standout. But beware, Fredman leaves the love interest up in the air, which will guarantee that her readers will be clamoring for the next installment of Brandy Alexander. Cleverly done!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Native Philadelphian Brandy Alexander fled her beloved city some four years ago for a semi-glamourous job of reporter in the City of Angels. Of course, no one in L.A. knows that she moved to get away from a love affair gone bad...just as her Philly crew has no idea just how silly and unglamourous her reporting gig in L.A. actually is. When childhood friend Franny calls to announce her impending marriage and the need for Brandy to serve as a bridesmaid, Brandy knows that she has no choice but to finally return home. Brandy quickly discovers that not much has changed on the East Coast...the old neighborhood is still intact, her friends are all the same, and former love-of-her-life Bobby DiCarlo is still married. But when best friend Johnny greets her at the airport with tales of murder, suspicious black SUVs, and missing people, Brandy is skeptical; when John starts pointing out malevolent-looking cars, she is intrigued; but when tragedy strikes quite unexpectedly, Brandy is horrified. With threats looming over herself and her loved ones, Brandy is determined to get to the bottom of all of the strange goings on. And the heat is really kicked up a notch when Brandy enlists the help of the gorgeous Nicholas Santiago. But...is Bobby's marriage really on the rocks? And with all of this testosterone flying around, given the drought that's been her love life, can Brandy really concentrate long enough to solve a mystery?
In the first of what promises to be at least as entertaining as Evanovich's Plum series, Ms. Fredman brings us a satisfying mystery with a romantic and comedic twist. I am thrilled that I have yet another series, and another author's work to look forward to...and I have already begun to spread the word.



DYB

Shelly was my teacher in 3rd grade and this book sounds so much like her, I got the book most ly becuase I was excited that she wrote it, i didnt think it would be bad becuase i always thought she would make a wonderful writer, but i REALLY love this book. I haven't finished it yet but so far has a similar style to the books i used to enjoy listening to her read to us in class but its for a much older age group. I cant put this book down, which shelly would not be happy about becuase it keeps me from doing my homework sometimes. this book is really great if you love misteries, especially so beucase you can really fall in love with the main character, she is so relatable and FUNNY that her obesseetions become your obsestions adn you really do want to stick with it until you find the killer. I cant wait for the sequel. THIS IS A REALLY FUN BOOK!

I saw the good reviews of this series so bought all 4 at once...and read them in a week! The fact that I had to use concealor like frosting to cover the bags under my eyes all week was a small price to pay for such great reads. I bonded with Brandy (our heroine) by page 2 after I discovered we both loved chocolate and hated flying. This series has an exceptional balance of mystery, suspense, laugh out loud humor and romance. The characters are ones you want to get to know better and have their special "quirks" that make you laugh. I read a lot but it's a rare book that comes along where I can't stop turning the pages. No sooner would I promise myself I'd turn off the light after finishing "just one more chapter" then the plotline would compel me to keep reading because I HAD to know what happened next. I found myself equally engrossed in both how the mystery turned out as well as the next twist in Brandy's personal life. So...I lost one week of sleep but gained the lasting enjoyment of a completely satisfying read.