Pluto Rising [Paperback]

Karen Irving (Author)

Book Description

Series: Katy Klein Mystery | Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Professional astrologer Katy Klein takes on a mysterious new client who believes she can help him unravel the half-remembered terrors of his childhood. Pluto Rising is a classic murder-mystery featuring a smart, down-to-earth sleuth ... and a unique twist: Each main character was created with an in-depth astrological chart that holds important clues to his or her complex personality.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Ottawa psychologist Katy Klein runs her own astrology business, casting natal charts and such while raising a 14-year-old daughter. When a raspy-voiced stranger suffering from recurrent nightmares turns up for his appointment, she finds him to be creepy and uncommunitive. After the weirdo (not expectedly) kidnaps her daughter , Kay and a psychiatrist friend struggle to get at the root of the stranger's problem and one of her hown as well-but not before murder is committed. A thoroughly enjoyable first effort in a series from a new talent.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Raincoast Books, Polestar; 1st edition (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189609595X
• ISBN-13: 978-1896095950
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,400,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery lovers welcome new author Karen Irving!, March 22, 2000

By 

J. Barth (South Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pluto Rising (Paperback)

If you think a mystery with an astologer-sleuth sounds like it might be a little too cute or New Age for you, think again! New mystery author Karen Irving's sleuth, Katy Klein is a recently-retired psychologist, who enhances her knowledge and experience as a mental health therapist with a thorough understanding of her clients' astrological birth charts to produce a new kind of detective. What you might expect to be light, fluffy and fast-paced fun turns out to be much more -- serious and suspenseful stuff, in fact.

In PLUTO RISING, while working hard to make ends meet for herself and her teenaged daughter, Katy is confronted by a mysterious and threatening new client. She has no inkling this appointment will unleash a series of events that will bring her face to face with a vicious killer. Not only must she uncover the secrets of Adam's long-forgotten childhood, but she is forced to confront her own worst memories, as well.

One of the book's strengths is Katy's strong, yet vulnerable personality. Add in a warm and fuzzy cast of friends and family, and Ms. Irving's wonderfully entertaining narrative voice, and it all adds up to a winning new mystery series!

I loved this first mystery novel. Karen Irving is a long-awaited fresh, new voice in the mystery field.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Star is Born, April 22, 2003

By 

Born to Read (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pluto Rising (Paperback)

Ms. Irving's books are a sweet treat. I can't recall how I happened upon them, but I am glad I did. Her stories are expertly cast and have intelligent writing and sophisticated stories. Her writing is like smooth butter or fine silk. They are set in Canada, but don't let that bother you if you don't like settings outside the US. The protagonist is a psychologist/astrologer but if metaphysical things bother you, don't worry. It doesn't overtake the story, but for those of us who love it, it's a nice sprinkle of information. This writer certainly knows her astrology. The sleuth is also Jewish, which adds a nice dimension. Everything is PERFECTLY balanced and extremely interesting. Her writing is up there with Stephen White and Jonathan Kellerman, maybe even better. Her writing is fresh and smart, deserving of the attention they get. Start from the beginning just to enjoy the three that are out so far---or just dive in. I tell you, if you love mysteries, there is nothing missing from this series. Nothing. It's sophisticated, it's engaging, it's witty, it's profound, it's complex, it's simple, it's serious ... you get my point. It has all the elements of life, life with all of its wonderful mysteries.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling Read!, March 13, 2000

By 

Maria Y. Lima "Chickwriter" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pluto Rising (Paperback)

First in a series, PLUTO RISING introduces Katy Klein, former psychologist, turned professional astrologer. In an edge-of-the-chair page-turner, Karen Irving keeps the reader enthralled until the very end.

Katy Klein's entire life takes a dramatic turn after a strange man named Adam shows up on her doorstep and begs her to tell him about himself. Intrigued despite herself, Katy delves deeper into this man's past, only to become entangled in a waking nightmare from which there seems no waking. When her daughter becomes involved, Katy has no choice but to enter Adam's world, discovering the darkness within.

Using a mix of astrological charts, psychology and plain curiosity, Irving draws us in from the very first page and keeps us reading until it's over. A fantastic debut mystery with a great amateur sleuth and well-developed characters! Don't miss this one!