Sympathy for the Devil: A Madeline Bean Mystery [LARGE PRINT] (Hardcover)

by Jerrilyn Farmer (Author) "Any last words?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Bruno Huntley, Los Feliz, Madeline Bean (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Madeline Bean, caterer to the stars, is in the middle of the biggest job of her career. She and her partner Wesley have pulled off Hollywood's most outrageous A-list Halloween party for notorious producer Bruno Huntley, complete with an eerie fortuneteller who is astonishingly accurate, and exotic food that's to die for. Before long, Bruno is thrashing and writhing out on the dance floor. Just one problem: he's not standing up, And soon, he's not even breathing.

The newly late Mr. Huntley was poisoned, that's certain. But the number of suspects with a yen to send Bruno to the devil could fill an audition for extras in the next Quentin Tarantino flick. When Wesley is arrested for the murder because of a long-standing dispute with the maniacal mogul, Madeline knows he couldn't be guilty. But to prove it, she has to wade through the muck of a mudslinging family, outrun a pair of crazed canines, dodge a pair of well-aimed bullets, and expose a slew of secrets that could put a soap opera to shame. Somebody's cooked up a murder, and it's up to Madeline to find out who--before she faces a fadeout of her own.

Madeline Bean, caterer to the stars, is in the middle of the biggest job of her career. She and her partner Wesley have pulled off Hollywood's most outrageous A-list Halloween party for notorious producer Bruno Huntley, complete with an eerie fortuneteller who is astonishingly accurate, and exotic food that's to die for. Before long, Bruno is thrashing and writhing out on the dance floor. Just one problem: he's not standing up. And soon, he's not even breathing.

The newly late Mr. Huntley was poisoned, that certain. But the number of suspects with a yen to send Bruno to the devil could fill an audition for extras in the next Quentin Tarentino flick. When Wesley is arrested for the murder because of a long-standing dispute with the maniacal mogul, Madeline knows he couldn't be guilty. But to prove it, she has to wade through the muck of a mudslinging family, outrun a pair of crazed canines, dodge a pair of well-aimed bullets, and expose a slew of secrets that could put a soap opera to shame. Somebody's cooked up a murder, and it's up to Madeline to find who--before she faces a fadeout of her own. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jerrilyn Farmer is the author of the Madeline Bean mystery series. Sympathy for the Devil was an Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award nominee for Best First Mystery and Immaculate Reception debuted at #2 on the Los Angeles Times paperback bestseller list. She lives in Southern California. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 404 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Largeprint edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786247436
• ISBN-13: 978-0786247431
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,576,206 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over, Janet Evanovich. Jerrilyn Farmer is here!, April 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sympathy for the Devil (Madeline Bean Catering Mysteries #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I happened upon this author by accident when I was drawn to the fun cover of her latest book, DIM SUM DEAD. I loved it, read it in about three hours, and then ran out for more by Farmer. Turns out SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL was her first, and what a hoot! Madeline is catering an over-the-top Hollywood Halloween party when the host gets poisoned. Madeline can't let anyone think it was her food, so she sets out to find the killer among a hilarious crowd of party guests. That's all I'll tell you. Read this book for a truly fun time...and look forward to more from this talented author. I've already got my husband and oldest daughter hooked. (Farmer's also got out IMMACULATE RECEPTION and KILLER WEDDING.) Can't wait for what's next!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly visual, fast paced Hollywood mystery--bring on more!, June 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sympathy for the Devil (Madeline Bean Catering Mysteries #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great read. It's a highly visual, first person mystery set in today's Hollywood. I thought the protagonist wry, charming and smart. The characters are vivid, the settings interesting, the twists surprising. The pace is fast, clues abound, but you really don't know "who did it" until very near the end. I sort of expected a "woman's" book having great sections which would not appeal to men, but I was wrong. The protagonist and her associates certainly have the potential for many more adventures.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Debut, August 29, 2001

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sympathy for the Devil (Madeline Bean Catering Mysteries #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

In the middle of the biggest party of Madeline's catering career, the host drops over, dead. Bruno Huntley had no shortage of enemies, including his own family. But Madeline's business partner and best friend, Wesley, is the police's prime suspect. Knowing that Wesley could never murder a man, even Bruno, she starts nosing around to find the real killer. But everywhere she turns, she just gets more questions. Can she stay alive long enough to unravel the personal and professional secrets and clear Wes?
This is a truly wonderful book. The plotting is superb, with never a dull moment and some surprising twists. The characters are well rounded and truly come alive. On top of this are an observer's view of Hollywood and a wonderful sense of humor. After finishing this book, I immediately went out and bought the rest of the series.
This is a must read. I look forward to many more adventures with Madeline, Wesley, and their friends.