Customer Reviews

No One Is Innocent (Jasmine Myers Mysteries)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
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Author Gayle Tiller's mystery 'No One Is Innocent' is not just a nuts and bolts kind of mystery.

I really enjoyed Tiller's lively writing style. Jasmine Myers, the detective, is a woman who is driven. She is smart, funny, and witty, but she is not perfect. She has a drinking problem and yet, she wants to have a kid.

Jasmine's ex-husband who just got married wants her back. The mystery resolves the death of community activist Kristal Wood's husband, Ralph Woods who is the president of the San Jose Black Firefighters.

Jasmine is hired by Kristal who has an ego bigger than the Grand Canyon. Kristal is no saint. However, there is something very vulnerable about her. Two other firefighters die and Kristal is charged with all three murders.

No One Is Innocent is a top of the line mystery/thriller. I literally could not stop reading. I can't wait for Gayle Tiller's next book.

Gayle Tiller has done an extremely magnificent job on her first novel "No One Is Innocent." The story becomes captivating as you are taken down a path of murders, which has you gripping for the truth. Just as you feel the truth is before you another scene is thrown in, which will carry you on a whole new road of high drama.

Not only has Gayle filled this novel with strong suspense elements, but also she's able to answer every question, which is important when writing a mystery. You will not be left hanging at the end of this read. Yes, even the political questions are answered.

She has done an excellent job in making her characters real to the reader. Jasmine is hired to solve the mystery, but you come to truly know who is she is as a person. Kristal goes with her gut feeling that her husband has been ... I recommend this story to everyone, especially those readers who enjoy mystery and suspense.

Jasmine Myers, a private investigator is hired by Kristal Woods to search for her husband's killer. Kristal's husband is Ralph Woods, President of the San Jose Black Firefighters. During the investigation, a series of deceptions are uncovered about not only Jasmine's client, but also mind boggling deceptive events that start hitting pretty close to home for Jasmine. Thus, you will realize the meaning of the title of this book, "No One Is Innocent," as all characters are guilty of something in some respect as it relates to this story. Even Jasmine tries to meticulously cover up the fact that she is a closet alcoholic. About the only person that is honest and genuinely concerned about Jasmine is her friend Sheila, and even she has her vices, namely men.

The real murderer in this story goes on a ramped killing spree until several other people are murdered to cover up the first murder the individual committed. As the story unfolds and you think you have solved the mystery, the plot turns down another road.

This book is "hot and steamy," "hilarious and funny." The author's ability to take this story full circle by intertwining the characters is pure genius. It is 300 pages, but reads extremely fast because you cannot wait to find out the truth. The real murder will simply floor you.

I anxiously look forward to reading future books by this author.

No One Is Innocent is the the premiere of San Jose African American private investigator Jasmine Myers.

It is written in the zesty style of Terry McMillan and is a must read. The author definitely has it going on. The characters are rich and real.

Thirty-something Jasmine Myers is a divorced African American private investigator who is battling her addiction to alcohol. Her biological clock is ticking and her ex-husband community activist Keith Rawlings who is newly married wants her back. Community Leader

Kristal Woods has hired Jasmine to investigate the death of her husband Ralph Woods, the President of the San Jose Black Firefighters.

A twisted path leads to the dark side of San Jose politics and life.

This is definitely a page turner and it is more than a whodunit mystery. I would highly recommend this book.

I read this book over a weekend because I just couldn't put it down until I found out "who done it". I especially enjoyed the illustration of the unique life of blacks in Silicon Valley - something few are familiar with or even realize exists.

No One is Innocent is captivating, mind boggling and astounding! Gayle Tiller leads you to believe that you can actually solve this mystery before the story unfolds on the pages. It seemed as if each time I turned a page there was new drama! Tiller meticulously weaves each characters life into this tight interwoven circle. No one knows about the other until the end of the book! No one knows who the killer is -- until the end of the book! All the events in this mystery drama solidify the fact that No One is Innocent! Gayle Tiller does an excellent job in bringing that statement to life! No One is Innocent is great! I give it my highest recommendation! This book is an essential in your library of new African American writers!

Jasmine Myers is not your typical private investigator; she is battling the bottle, she craves having a baby, and her ex-husband wants her back. With that being said the obvious question is how in the world does she find time to do her job? Well somehow she does. In the opening of the novel Jasmine is hired by Kristal Woods, a highly respected community leader, to investigate the mysterious death of Kristal's husband Ralph, who was a member of the San Jose, California Fire Department and President of the San Jose Black Firefighters. Jasmine feels that this will be an open and shut case for her because Ralph's death has already been labeled an accident.

Jasmine's father, Lieutenant Ron Myers, is a ranking officer in the San Jose Police Department and he strongly advises his daughter not to take this case. He thinks it is a waste of time and energy. She ignores her father and dives headfirst into the investigation. Jasmine soon discovers that this case is about much more than the death of Ralph Woods. When two other firefighters turn up dead and Kristal is accused of theie murders the story takes a very dramatic turn.

No One Is Innocent by Gayle Tiller is a great mystery book, there is so much suspense you can't wait to turn the page to see what will happen next. Near the end of the book the story began to drag a little, but overall it was a good read. I look forward to more books by Ms. Tiller and hope to read more about Jasmine in the near future....

Lately my passion has been towards mystery books by African American Women Writers about African American Women Heroines and this book did not disappoint. Although, I started reading it in the evening hours, I just couldn't put it down. Of course I ended up pulling an all nighter just to find out "Who Dunnit". Ms. Tiller has a brilliant career ahead of her and shows great promise as one of the new upcoming mystery writers. I look forward to her next book and hopefully she has already started.

Jasmine Myers, a private investigator, is hired by the beautiful Kristal Woods to find out who killed her husband, president of the Black Firefighters in the San Jose Fire Department. Kristal will not accept that her husband's death was an accident as it is ruled. Then another firefighter comes up dead and then another. Jasmine, daughter of a veteran San Jose policeman, suddenly has her hands full. All kinds of people turn up in her trail seeking answers including her ex-husband, old lovers, and long-dead people.

What are the real reasons people are being killed? Her ex, who has remarried, is asking for a reconciliation. His reappearance in her life reminds her that she was unable to have children when they were married and now his new wife is expecting a child. It is enough to drive a person to drink. Unfortunately, Jasmine is a recovering alcoholic and Johnnie Walker keeps calling her name. The plot is like a connect-a-dot drawing with a cast of characters so numerous, the reader will almost need a scoreboard. Everyone time someone mentions a name, Jasmine goes to that person and they in turn connect to another possible suspect.

I applaud Ms. Tiller's efforts in writing and completing her first novel, however I would be remiss in not pointing out that this novel was plagued with numerous misspellings, grammar problems and structure. I had to put the book down and come back to it telling myself to overlook the lack of editing and try to get to the meat of the story. Furthermore I did not feel an affinity for Jasmine. She seemed to be drifting through the plot leaving a bland presence. Her character could have been developed so much better, in the same vein as Tamara Hayle or Kinsey Millhone.

I enjoyed the setting of the story in the Bay Area with references to Oakland, Berkeley and other locations that Jasmine traveled in her quest for the truth. I admit I was surprised at the identity of the killer. I understand Ms. Tiller plans a series with this P.I. and I will be eager to see how the character is further developed.

Dera
Apooo Bookclub

Upon opening No One Is Innocent, we immediately enter the life of Jasmine Myers. Myers is a childless, divorced, closet alcoholic and private detective. Jasmine is contacted by Kristal Woods to search for her husband's killer. Ralph Woods, President of the San Jose Black Firefighters, was found murdered. The police assume that it was an accidental death but Kristal is not convinced. Immediately following Ralphs murder two other firefighters are found murdered. All clues point to Kristal and Jasmines father, who is a local police detective, charges her with all three murders.

No On Is Innocent is a fast paced mystery filled with many characters, twists and turns. Local politics, deceit and family secrets all play a part in this who done it. Each character plays a necessary role in this mystery that spans twenty years and at the end each piece of the puzzle is tied together. You will be shocked at who the murderer is. Loyalties are called into question and Jasmine learns that no one is whom they appeared to be, no one!

Gayle Tiller has penned a very interesting murder mystery. Her imagination is enormous because this story is not an easy one to figure out. A page-turner and quick read!

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves