Dead to Writes (The Cassandra Ellis Mysteries) [Kindle Edition]

Cathy Wiley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Cassandra Ellis is a soon-to-be published author, days away from achieving her lifetime goal. But before she can celebrate, before she can even have her first book signing, she's brought in to Baltimore City Police Headquarters for questioning in connection to a real-life murder.

It seems she's the last person to see the victim alive, since she had just met with the former arsonist to conduct research for her next book. Most damning, her day planner was found next to the body.

When another of her subject matter experts is killed-- again right after meeting with her-- Cassie decides to investigate things herself, rather than leaving it in the hands of the police. Although she'd love to get her hands on the homicide detective assigned to the cases.

Using all the tools available to her, including her research skills, her knowledge of murder and murderers, and... psychic parrots, she tries to solve the case before another friend is killed. Along the way, she finds out that murder in real life is different than murder on the page.

And don't miss "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Write", the second book in the series, available in paperback and Kindle.

About the Author

While her dream of biking and camping around the United States never came true, Cathy Wiley has achieved her childhood goal of writing mysteries. She's happiest when plotting stories in her head or on the computer, or when she's delving into research, be it hands-on or in books.

She draws upon her experience in the hospitality business to show the lighter, quirkier side of people. And upon her own morbid mind to show the darker side.

In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, dancing, wine, food, and reading. She lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with two very spoiled cats. She would greatly enjoy getting e-mail from her fans. She can be reached at [e-mail]

You can also visit her website at: cathywiley.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 401 KB
• Publisher: Zapstone Productions LLC; Kindle edition (August 13, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003ZYEVWG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,081 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Cathy Wiley is happiest when plotting stories in her head or on the computer, or when she's delving into research.

She draws upon her experience in the hospitality business to show the lighter, quirkier side of people and upon her own morbid mind to show the darker side.

In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, dancing, wine, food, and reading. She lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with two very spoiled cats.

Visit her website at www.cathywiley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Is Ruining Cassie's Great Day?, September 26, 2010

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead to Writes (Paperback)

All her life, Cassie Ellis has dreamed of being a published author. And now that dream is days away from becoming reality. But what should be a great celebration turns tragic when someone shots Seth Montgomery. Seth is a convicted arsonist that Cassie has used in research for one of her books. And since the police find Cassie's day planner next to the body, they haul her in for questioning.

Cassie can't quite get a read on Detective James Whittaker. Is she a suspect or not? Plus there's the attraction they are both trying to hide, at least until this case is resolved. Then another of Cassie's contacts is killed with the same gun. Who will the killer target next? Is Cassie a target? Or do the police still consider her a suspect?

The plot started off strongly and pulled me in right away. The characters are wonderfully real. I feel like I know the main characters very well already, and this is just the first book in the series. This is especially true of Cassie who takes these deaths very hard. I found her reaction refreshingly realistic. The characters carried me though as the plot hit some uneven patches in the middle, but it came together for a very strong, page turning climax. And I loved the flirting between Cassie and James, which added a nice touch of humor to the proceedings. I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship continues.

Cassie and James make a great sleuthing team. I'm already hoping for more books in this great seris.

FCC Note: Cathy Wiley is a friend who sent me the book in exchange for an honest review.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent First Book, August 24, 2010

By 

Jayne Muir (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dead to Writes (The Cassandra Ellis Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

I tend to shy away from writing reviews because I'm not very good at the technical stuff - I either like a book or I don't. I'm trying to break that habit.

Why did I enjoy this book? Characters that I liked and could relate to. This is something important to me as I don't enjoy books in which I can't feel anything for the characters. Cassie felt very real to me, the kind of person that could be living next door. The fact that she loves Trixie Belden over Nancy Drew instantly endeared her to me. As for Detective Whittiker, can I just say, "yum!" There are some interesting secondary characters that I'm hoping to see more of in upcoming books - especially Linda and the Psychic Consortium.

As a cosy mystery, there's only minor bad language and no explicit scenes. There's a nice sprinkling of humour throughout. One scene I particularly liked involved an erupting bottle of wine. I could picture it perfectly.

There's a warmth in this book as if the author is writing from the heart, making in a nice, relaxing read.

It's a perfect book for curling up with your beverage of choice and maybe a cat or two. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book which is to be released next year.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quick Light Read, March 13, 2011

By 

shopper2010 "shopper2010" (OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dead to Writes (The Cassandra Ellis Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

This was a good book and if I could have given it 3-1/2 stars I would have. There were a few swear words and no sex for those people who don't like that in their books. If you don't want blood or violence and just a light mystery you will also like it. If you like romance in your mystery books you will like this book too.

If you like intense mystery books this is not for you. It was very light and there seemed to be even more romance than any drama. It was not a book that I just had to finish at one sitting. Unlike others who reviewed this book I figured out the killer not too far in.

At times the book is too descriptive and you just wanted to skim over parts of it to get to the good parts (which there weren't many if you like the kind of mysteries I do). For example, there was one long section where Cassie goes to the shooting range and they talk about different stances and what they are called when shooting a gun, etc. Who cares? It did not relate to anything it just seemed like it was added for filler.

I also really wasn't thrilled that Cassie was always mentally writing a story during the story. She seemed scatter brained or ditzy. Even the romantic parts of the story were a little far fetched. Their romance just seemed odd. At one point Cassie is wondering what Whittaker is feeling for her & she calls her best friend to commiserate. The very next morning she calls him up at work and is calling him by several "cutesy" first names. Why would you do that when you weren't sure what he felt about her? That was really weird.

Even though I wasn't crazy about this book it was a good book and a lot of people will enjoy it for the reasons I mentioned in the first paragraph. We all don't like the same type of mystery books which is probably a good thing!