Book Reviews

3.5 books, Long and Short Reviews

Sunflower

The mystery in this book was full force. Each secondary character were [sic] both quirky and mysterious and, when the deaths began, each person became a suspect. I never figured out who the killer was and what a shock at the end when that answer was finally revealed. It was a typical old-fashioned who-done-it mystery where the leading character always managed to find herself in the midst of trouble. The ending wrapped up the conflict and I didn't feel as if any questions were left unanswered. Overall I found it to be a very enjoyable story.

4 cups, Coffee Time Romance

Maura

Dark Music combines mystery with romantic suspense extremely well. The story is a locked room (or snowed in hotel) mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie, but updated for today’s reader. The main characters are very sympathetic, and Elizabeth is very likable. Jared is a spoiled brat of a man, but he grows up by the end of the story. The supporting characters are caricatures of people, but very entertaining. This is a story well worth reading.

3 stars, Ali Jenkins

Front Street Reviews www.frontstreetreviews.com (Amazon)

Janis Susan May's murder mystery Dark Music may start a tad slow, but it quickly builds up the pace and the intensity. Elizabeth McAllister, an author of romance novels, is contracted to make a public appearance for fans. The convention is in Canada and rather than endure a flight with the other authors from the same publishing company, she insists on driving alone to the convention. She'd rather not attend the whole thing in the first place but duty says she must do her part along with her fellow authors, the group that has been dubbed the Fab Four.

Dark Music is a good choice for summer reading for fans of both light romance and suspenseful mysteries.

5 beacons, Lighthouse Literary Reviews

Risseybug

Dark Music was a fantastic book. I don't usually read romance, and in the strictest sense of the word, it wasn't. There was love, there was intrigue, but there were no 'hot' scenes. It was a definite murder mystery, and a great one at that. Elizabeth is a great, deep, well-written character, and the rest of the cast practically leapt off the page. The setting, a beautiful mountain hotel, is perfectly depicted. This was supposed to be set in the 1960's, and except for a few references to "this new women's lib" and the fact that Elizabeth used a typewriter instead of a computer, I really didn't get that feeling. However, it did not detract from the book one bit, and could have been in any modern era. It was so well-done, easy to read and went so quickly, I was at the end almost before I knew it. If you are a romance fan, a writer (so many 'in' writers' jokes) or if you like a good whodunit, Dark Music will not disappoint. Bravo, Miss May!

I give this a 5. If there were a 6, I'd give it that. By far the best book I've reviewed up until now.

Fallen Angels Reviews

Linda L.

Dark Music is one intriguing story. The interesting characters spin much excitement throughout this wonderful read. With a touch of murder and mayhem, Liz is thrown into a barrage of events that takes the reader into the whole ambiance of the setting. Her refreshing heroine is lively, and when she is paired with Jerry, it is like they are made for each other. The weaving of all the fascinating secondary characters, is a great addition to the cast. Janis Susan May brings us on-the-edge-of-the-seat drama, and I found myself not only driving right along with Liz on the icy roads to the snowy mountain resort, but chasing along with her in the corridors of the resort, searching for answers as to who might be behind the tragic events. Ms. May creates an ambiance that is vibrantly visual and keeps the reader in suspense until the final page of the story. I found this story a “scheming” good read.