Customer Reviews

The Parcel Express Murders

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bernadette Connor gives us the goods AGAIN with her second psychotic saga, this time a murder mystery centering around beautiful psychiatrist, Somoa Tate and Detective Eddie Clark who are both involved (unknowingly) in this case of murders. Without giving away the plot, this mystery has all the intrigue of a nail biting tale, but with the added flavor of "SOUL FOOD". While I loved the roller coaster ride as the two dectectives solve a murder and balance their love lives at the same time. You'll NEVER guess "who done it"!!! Kudos! to Ms. Connor for sharing her literary genius for the discriminating reader.

I have read thousands of books in my life time. So many murder mysteries that I thought I knew every plot that has ever been thought about, or written. I give Bernadette Y. Connors many kudos for creating a murder mystery that had me stumped! I was totally into the characters and the plot had me riveted. Ms. Connors creates characters that come alive and drag you into their story so that you are on pin and needles during the entire story. This novel had me kicking myself; I was so involved in the story I missed the obvious hints that could had led me to the why of the murders. Believe me this is a can't put it down until it's finished novel! Read it while it's hot! Read it before your best friend tells you the ending! This book is a winner!

Jewel Scott
Author of The Twinkling

I don't like murder mysteries. I don't like romance novels. But I loved this book! To understand why, just read the opening few pages of this wonderful tale of intrigue, murder, old wounds and new loves. Author Bernadette Y. Connor does a great job of developing a strong plot and memorable characters to deliver an exciting and emotionally charged story.

Like her debut novel, Damaged!, the story focuses on a psychiatrist. Dr. Samoa Tate finds herself involved in both the investigation of a series of grisly murders and a budding romance with the primary investigator on the case. Dr. Tate, though smart, rational, and sensitive, has deep issues regarding relationships that stem from her childhood, and this complicates the already complex chemistry between the two.

The actual mystery begins with the murder of a prominent Philadelphia businessman and his mistress, and soon the bodies start to pile up. With enough twists and turns to make even the most die-hard mystery fan wonder who-dun-it, Connor spins a great story.

What I appreciated most about this book is that, while it will definitely appeal to both fans of mysteries and fans of romance, Connor avoids all the clique stereotypes that have been overdone in both genres and creates a truly original work.

The Parcel Express Murders is an action packed story filled with twists, turns
and spirited characters. Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a prominent
business man and his mistress are murdered after a swank party and Detectives
Hawkins and Clark are charged with solving the crime. As they investigate the
seemingly unsolvable felony, the body count mounts. And the widow of the
deceased sets her sights on Detective Clark as he tries to start
a romance with the aloof Dr. Somoa Tate. Somoa is a psychiatrist and the
best friend of Detective Hall Hawkins wife, Christine. Running parallel to
the murder investigation is the strongest part of the novel -- the
interpersonal relationships of the four main characters. Each character is
presented richly, interspersed with the storyline and their relationships to
each other.

As the story progresses, readers will try to guess who the murderer is and will
undoubtedly be surprised by the outcome. Bernadette Connor weaves an intense
story that comes together perfectly in the end. The mystery is an added
attraction in this book, as readers will enjoy the camaraderie of the four
main characters as well as the life issues that each one confronts during the
course of the tale.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD)
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Being a thriller/mystery fan, I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot and sub-plots wove together excellently, making you want to know what happens next. Being a native of Philadelphia, I particularly enjoyed how the story took place there; reading about the neighborhoods and streets I lived in was cool!

I liked the characters; there was definitely Philly flava written in this book. I only wish the "bad guy" wasn't so easy to figure out. I knew who it was before I could hit the half way point of the book. And Eddie... he was TOO perfect of a boyfriend. He could have had a psychotic side to him or something interesting!

Overall mystery fans should enjoy this book and if you're from Philly you'll definitely like it. It's a little disappointing figuring out who the "psycho" is so soon in the novel... but then again, it could just be me.

Bernadette Y. Connor's The Parcel Express Murders is cleverly woven into a context where romance, mystery, and intrigue is allowed to play under the backdrop of murder. The author is showing in this sophomoric effort her penchant for writing genre-crossing thrillers where the female is a heroine and the masculine are supporting catalysts to tell a good story without compromising nothing in between.

This is a story about Samoa Tate a psychiatrist who helps patients come to grips with their maladies, but within her own framework there's the need to cope with an absentee father that has a bearing on her personal life. Enter the Dynamic Duo, Detectives Hall Hawkins and Edward Clark assigned the task of solving a double murder case, and a subsequent string of unsolved murders. An interesting sidelight is the fact that Samoa and Detective Clark as love interests are both involved unknowingly in finding the killers, which bodes well in the author introducing subplots that fit well into the result of marrying romance with the mystique of 'who done it', how, and why.

This book could as well been depicted as a romance novel with its steamy love scenes and the charm and wit that both characters, Somoa and Eddie exhibit. So much so, that the secondary characters are truly an adjunct to how the main entities play into interludes that make you wonder whether the mystery should center around the murders, or perhaps what's the mystery behind why Samoa is reluctant to engage Eddie in a more willing fashion as a love interest.

As I read this novel, I couldn't help but to compare it with other deep-seated mysteries I've read in allowing me to truly define them as such. To the author's credit though, she told a good story..., but knowing how I love to unravel and be part of suspenseful intrigue, I was hoping for more twists and turns, and unexpected drama to unfold with the details that were presented here. If the plot would've included the aforementioned it conceivably would have garnered a higher rating from me.

Nevertheless, this indeed is a good read and doesn't suffer at the expense of the prior statement by me. It indeed should pique your interest in this author, and demand more of same. I enjoyed this yarn albeit with wishful yearnings, and would hope that you'd hink of this author as being of mind to write in a challenged mode to bring depth to this genre. There's certainly the potential to do so based on what I've read here, and hope that you read it for yourself!

A series of murders places veteran detectives Eddie Clark and his partner, Hall, on a bizarre crime-solving adventure. Enter Dr. Samoa Tate, a clinical psychiatrist and best friend to Hall's wife, who immediately attracts the attention of Eddie. They begin dating and as the complexity of the murders increase, so does the intricacy within their budding relationship. The reader learns that Samoa has issues trusting men because of her father's abandonment of the family before her birth. Eddie has to deal with Samoa's distrust, political pressure to solve the murders, and a very awkward situation with one of the main suspects.

Although billed as a mystery, this reader thought that the strong character and interpersonal relationship development in the story made The Parcel Express Murders read more like a romance/relationship novel rather than a murder mystery. The author does a good job of blending Samoa and Eddie's personal and professional lives by the conclusion of the story. This book was an easy read filled with interesting characters. Conner's use of dialogue and smooth delivery of drama keeps the reader glued to the pages until the very end. It is an enjoyable story for a lazy afternoon.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO Bookclub, Nubian Circle Book Club

Dr. Samoa Tate is a psychiatrist who is great at helping other people handle their problems. Unfortunately for Samoa she does not take her own advice. She was raised by her mother, and though she wanted for anything materially as a child, she deeply resented her father. Samoa's father walked out on her mother before she was born and the hurt and resentment that her mother felt towards men was spread to Samoa and has affected every relationship that Samoa has ever had.

Eddie Clark is a bright and attractive homocide detective who meets Samoa through mutual friends. Eddie is instantly drawn to Samoa and yearns to get to know her better. Samoa seems to embody all the qualities that he wants in a woman. There is only one problem: Samoa's feelings towards men.

While Eddie would like to be closer to Samoa, that pursuit cannot consume him. There have been a series of murders in the city and Eddie and his partner Hall are under tremendous pressure from the police brass to solve these crimes before even more bodies pile up. The murder investigation is not typical. Eddie and Hall are drawn into dangers path at every turn and Eddie finds himself in a compromising and awkward situation with one of the main suspects.

Unknowingly Samoa and Eddie's work is intertwined and the result is a great mystery. The Parcel Express Murders by author Bernadette Y. Connor includes a cast of very colorful and interesting personalities that make you want to continue turning the pages, and I highly recommend it for those who like a good story.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

Parcel Express Murders has it all - murder, mystery, & romance all cleverly written in this novel. From the details in the book, you can tell that the author has done her homework in doing research in criminal investigations as well as the profession of psychology. This is a colorful story with interesting characters. Anxiously awaiting Bernadette Y. Connor's next mystery novel. Mystery lovers will enjoy this entertaining book.

She did it again! Bernadette has once again captured my attention from the first page. It is like taking a roller coaster ride in the dark and not knowing where the turns and plunges are. Bernadette at her best. Just when you think you have solved the mystery....another hill to climb. A must read, if you enjoy mystery and romance. A beautiful tapestry of excitement. When you have finished the last word, you simply say, WOW!! that was some ride.