Customer Reviews

Without Mercy (Five Star First Edition Mystery)

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

 

 

Toni L.P. Kelner's new book, the debut of a promising series, is well-written and entertaining. Her protagonist, a journalist who tracks entertainment has-beens, is a lot of fun. I loved this book.

Charlaine Harris

I just finished this book yesterday and I loved it. I read it very fast, it's one that is really hard to put down. My only complaint is that Ms. Kelner needs a better editor because there were too many simple mistakes in the book that should have been fixed before publishing. I am looking forward to the next book in this new series. As someone who grew up watching reruns of The Facts of Life, Charlies Angels, and the Brady Bunch I could truly appreciate the old time tv show aspect of the mystery. The writer uses great dialogue with very interesting characters. I figured out who the bad person was but I really enjoyed the how and why of the whole story which was written perfectly.
I can't wait to read what's next for Tilda and the hottie Nick.

Boston based freelance celebrity author Tilda Harper recently wrote a where are they now article on the former cast members of '70s sitcom Kissing Cousins. Her article published in prestigious Entertain Me magazine focuses on the "Curse of the Kissing Cousins"; as two former cast members starring respectively as Brad the jock and Damon the freak recently died. When paranoid fanboy Vincent Peters claims a third cast member starring as Sherry the cheerleader was murdered and that a serial killer is bumping off the cousins, Tilda takes him seriously as he is her best tipster when he insists Mercy Ashford is next as they are being killed in chronological order.

Tilda's first investigation into the cousins led to her easily finding everyone except Mercy, who walked off a movie set and disappeared without a trace; she has never picked up her rerun checks. However, this time going through her boxes of 1970s fan junk Tilda considers a different approach to finding the missing cousin who was her idol when the reporter was a teen. Tilda is unaware that someone is watching her moves following her to New York because she is the best chance of finding the fourth victim.

WITHOUT MERCY is an enjoyable journalistic investigative tale starring a likable heroine. Her behavior towards Vincent and her sister shows she is a caring person; her actions towards an obnoxious last Entertain me reporter is amusing and on target. Fans who appreciate the Scooby Doo mysteries will enjoy this fun homage to Geeks and Freaks.

Harriet Klausner

I love Toni L P Kelner's books and this one is sure to be one to die for! OK- maybe not die for really, but one to die to get your hands on and read fast! A totally new book- hopefully a series, by one of my favorite authors in this genre. Get this book, read it, review it, love it, and read it again! If you love a good mystery and want to get in on the beginning of what I hope is a long lived series, this is one you can't miss. The whole concept is new and unique!

Laura
The More Books the Better
http:/gedsternguide.blogspot.com

Originally titled WITHOUT MERCY, CURSE OF THE KISSING COUSINS is a good start to the series, even with some flaws. The main character/sleuth/nostalgic reporter, Tilda, is smart and likable, funny and realistic - basically, a solid lead (no pun intended, originally :P). The plot is interesting and for the most part, flowed smoothly; the same could be said about the additional characters. My favorites were fanboy Vincent and the kinda-sorta-cliche gay friend/co-worker, Cooper, who both added a lot to the book. Actually, none of the characters were unnecessary or overdone, from the less-than-perfect roommate to the back-stabber at Entertain Me! to the the lecherous computer geek, all contributed to the book as a whole. However, with all the good the book had, there was just something missing, besides Mercy. I can't quite put my finger on it, but even though I really did enjoy the book, there was just something off. The idea behind this series is really cool and I hope it gets better as it goes along. I look forward to WHO KILLED THE PIN-UP QUEEN?
3.5 stars