When the Dancing Stops: The First Brett Higgins Mystery (Brett Higgins Mysteries) [Paperback]

Therese Szymanski (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Naiad Pr; 1st edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562801864
• ISBN-13: 978-1562801861
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,183,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Therese (Reese) Szymanski (www.BigBadButch.com) is an award-winning playwright who has been short-listed for a few Lammies, a few Goldies and a Spectrum, and made the Publishing Triangle's list of Notable Lesbian Books in 2004 and was chosen for an Alice B. Reader's Appreciation Award for 2008.

She's written eight Brett Higgins Motor City Thrillers (When the Dancing Stops, When the Dead Speak, When Some Body Disappears, When Evil Changes Face, When the Corpse Lies, When First We Practice and When It's All Relative); one Shawn Donnelly book, It's All Smoke & Mirrors: The First Chronicles of Shawn Donnelly; and edited the erotic anthologies Back to Basics, Call of the Dark, Wild Nights, Fantasy and A Perfect Valentine. She has novellas in Once Upon a Dyke; Stake through the Heart; Bell, Book and Dyke and Tall in the Saddle and has a few dozen published short stories and essays.

She's a seasoned writer with two decades' experience writing for nonprofit, advertising, marketing and journalistic purposes. A second-generation American, she comes from Detroit, lives in D.C., and hopes to move in with her girlfriend, Stacia, soon.

She occasionally teaches classes, though it's been quite a while since they've been at the college level. She's much more likely these days to be found at festivals and book signings. Well, and online.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a startling first novel that's not for wimps., July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: When the Dancing Stops: The First Brett Higgins Mystery (Brett Higgins Mysteries) (Paperback)

A forboding first chapter, I didn't know if I was going to like this book. This is not the ususal mystery especially with our hero on the shady and sometimes dark side of the law. Also unusual is that it's set in Detroit. And Brett is alot like the city -- rough, tough, and potentially deadly but with an urban oasis waiting for the one who's smart enough and brave enough to venture forth. Erotic and suspensful, Szymanski's skillful cinematic pacing kept me rivited and I had to get up at three in the morning to finish reading. I'm about to order the rest of the series and suggest you do the same. If you're brave enough to venture forth....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "When the Dancing Stops" by Cheri, May 21, 2005

By 

Cheri Crystal (Eastern United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Dancing Stops: The First Brett Higgins Mystery (Brett Higgins Mysteries) (Paperback)

Therese Szymanski's "When the Dancing Stops," is the first installment in her popular Brett Higgins Mystery series. With a fast-paced gripping plot, memorable characters, both good and evil, action that doesn't stop, and scenes and dialogue that ring true for the underworld society of the porn industry, the story captures the reader from the very first page until the last.

Brett Higgins is twenty-three, smart, and a college graduate employed in a job she finds fun and challenging. Brett's boss Rick DeSilva, the mogul of porn, owns an adult theater, an escort service, and a pornography distribution service with adult bookstores, phone sex service, and other similar enterprises; Brett is his first lieutenant. She works as his general manager and is the head of the advertising/marketing department. Brett may be on the wrong side of the law at times, but this reviewer likes and roots for the tough, sweet, and sensitive sides of the multi-faceted character. Brett does what she has to do to survive, as honestly as she can, and she goes to any length to keep those she loves safe.

Frankie Lorenzini works closely with Rick and Brett as "security"-he watches their backs. The trio, Rick, Brett, and Frankie, are not only business associates; they are like family to one another.

Brett has a woman in her life whom she loves and protects, an exquisite exotic dancer, Storm. Brett cares deeply for Storm but has never totally committed to her-then she meets Allison Sullivan. Allie is only seventeen, cute, pretty, and just coming out when she first lays eyes on Brett.

Allie is attracted to Brett's dark, mysterious, and driven side. In addition, Allie feels that Brett is refreshingly different from her ex-girlfriend, Kirsten-a cheating control freak who took her for granted-which draws her to Brett even more. Kirsten doesn't accept the breakup as final and she tries to win Allie back, albeit dishonestly. Brett wonders if Allie is her soul mate. Can opposites attract and stay attracted? Allie is from a loving family on the right side of the tracks; Brett is from the wrong side. Can they remain a couple against all odds? Brett loves both Storm and Allie; she is hard-pressed to choose between them. Allie, on the other hand, knows exactly what she wants and hopes it lasts a lifetime. What will Brett decide-will it be Brett's decision to make? When people start ending up dead, some who are close to Brett, the police are not the only ones investigating the murders. Brett wants to find out too.

Therese Szymanski is a master at devising plots that keep you guessing and then surprise you with their answers. She delivers rich imaginative text that is refreshingly real, to the point, and she paints vivid pictures that set the mood. The action sequences reflect the detail and flourish of Szymanski's award-winning playwright talents, as do the sizzling sex scenes. To say that they stimulate certain juices to flow is an understatement.

"When the Dancing Stops" will enthrall readers who enjoy mysteries laced with sex, love, jealousy, greed, murder, and intrigue. There's no telling who will survive this rollercoaster ride. Once you read the first Brett Higgins Mystery, you will be eager to read the entire series just to see what Szymanski comes up with next. If you long to escape from the mundane world for a while, pick up a copy of "When the Dancing Stops."

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Blue moon in her eyes, May 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: When the Dancing Stops: The First Brett Higgins Mystery (Brett Higgins Mysteries) (Paperback)

I've read (so far) all the books in the Life of Brett except the most recent and enjoyed them very much. The characters and action keep me interested despite lots of loose ends. There are so many different perpectives from so many different characters it can be hard (pardon the pun) to keep them all straight.

But the stories will keep you guessing, and there is enough thrills, chills and excitement for anyone who likes suspense. In fact, whenever I watch *The Sporanos* on HBO and hear the theme song, I think of Brett! I hope she will continue to get in trouble for many years to come!;)