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5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Characters, July 26, 2006
This review is from: The Vicarious Liver: A Mattie Winston Mystery (Paperback)
Mattie Winston is a likable character, surrounded by an excellent cast. I couldn't help but laugh when some very real, very embarassing situations popped up in the story (the underwear scene is hilarious).
The story itself was excellent and bits of it has stuck with me for over two years! Well worth reading.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful tale which tantalizes us into wanting more, October 2, 2004
This review is from: The Vicarious Liver: A Mattie Winston Mystery (Paperback)
Beth Amos used to publish with HarperPaperbacks and has three suspense thrillers to her credit: COLD WHITE FURY, EYES OF NIGHT, and SECOND SIGHT. Ms. Amos took the bull by the proverbial horns after discovering the foibles of mid-career publishing and decided to self-publish her next book, THE VICARIOUS LIVER. She lives in Wisconsin (actually, in my old ancestral neighborhood, as it happens).
Mattie Winston is a RN with lots of curiosity, an interesting sense of humor, and an ability to bump into things and embarrass herself at the drop of a hat. But she is also caring, and is terribly wounded when she discovers her husband with another nurse in a compromising situation. She loses the husband and her job, and takes on an internship as a deputy coroner with her gay neighbor, who also provides her and her newest family member, Rubbish, with a place to live. Unfortunately, the next death that turns up is Karen Owenby, her ex's girlfriend. With Karen's death another tall, dark, and handsome stranger enters Mattie's life in the person of Detective Steve Hurley. Sparks literally fly as Hurley and Mattie fight an instant attraction and also begin an unconscious competition to determine who will solve the case. Naturally Mattie gets herself into constant fixes; her husband David complicates the picture; and Hurley comes to the rescue:
"Hurley glowers at him and I'm afraid things are going to get messy soon if I don't do something. 'David, please go,' I say. He stares at me in disbelief. 'You heard the lady,' Hurley growls. David hangs his head for a second, then moves towards the door, which is still open."
Beth Amos has a natural flare for comedic writing. Mattie Winston is the symbol of every woman, when we have our guard down. Mattie is intelligent, a little insecure but courageous, inquisitive, and has absolutely terrible timing. Yet she manages to help everyone around her, and one gets the feeling that she is held in very high esteem, warts and all. THE VICARIOUS LIVER is a fast-paced, well structured mystery with underpinnings of lost love, fresh lust, and small town politics. Amos has penned a delightful tale which tantalizes us into wanting more.
Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A hoot of a homicide!, August 26, 2004
This review is from: The Vicarious Liver: A Mattie Winston Mystery (Paperback)
Beth Amos has penned a fine and funny mystery with The Vicarious Liver. The book introduces a new mystery series featuring small-town Deputy Coroner Mattie Winston, a woman whose curiosity, humor and determination are exceeded only by her ability to muck up the works.
Still in the throes of impending divorce--which she hasn't gotten around to filing for, yet--Mattie finds herself not-so-innocently embroiled in a homicide case. The victim? Her soon-to-be ex-husband's mistress. The suspects? Philandering husband David Winston--and Mattie.
Mattie is determined to unravel the mystery, but the Fates seem intent on unraveling her life in the process. As if her connection to the case isn't troubling enough, Mattie suffers lust at first sight when she meets the homicide detective handling the investigation.
Characters who will (hopefully) play permanent supporting roles in the series are as fascinating and fun as Mattie herself. Readers will laugh at the antics of little Rubbish, the leg-climbing, "soccer" playing kitten Mattie rescues from a Dumpster. Patient, tolerant Izzy, the diminutive and empathetic medical examiner will be a favorite of fans, as will Barbara, the funeral home cosmetician who becomes Mattie's hairdresser; bug-loving Ethan, who is Mattie's nephew; and Mattie's egocentric, hypochondriacal mother.
Beth Amos hits the bullseye with the skill of a sniper, sketching even minor characters with humor and color, and crafting fun and believable major characters. From the first page, she grabs your arm and drags you along Mattie's twisting path, tripping over bumps in the road, falling into potholes, yet never losing sight of the destination
A thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you hankering for more!
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