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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Review and Giveaway: Dead in a Dumpster: Leah Norwood Mystery #1 by B.L. Blair

REVIEW

It was a horrible way to end an already terrible day. At first, I thought she was staring at me. It took my brain a few moments to determine she wasn't actually looking at me but sitting perfectly still, eyes wide open, a surprised look on her face, and a huge bloodstain on her chest. Of course, I have to admit now that my day wasn't nearly as terrible as hers was.

My favorite mystery novels are the ones in which the humor is present and/or the ones in which the voice of the main character is present in Humphrey Bogart’s detective Marlowe (Raymond Chandler’s) style. So, I felt good when, from the first lines, I saw that my preferred features promise to be present in Dead in a Dumpster one way or another.

The heroine is a witty, gun trained and funny person (even if unintentional), a girl who knows her limits and sentiments, but who doesn’t let her to be stopped by them. That because she loves a… good mystery. And what mystery could be better than the one in which the suspect is yourself? So, armed with good intentions (we know where good intention lead), a bit (or more) naivety and believing that finding the criminal is her best way to prove her innocence, she goes for it, starting her own investigation. It is useless to say that this is an unacceptable behavior not only from the police, but also from the villains’ point of view. From here to more trouble for her is a short way.

The romance part of the story is a nice and delicate presence. I liked that it doesn’t became the main focus, but offers more challenges for the heroine’s peace of mind… and body… The final part brings the element (or person) necessary for a (not quite) love triangle and a future (no final decision yet) showdown between the good (looking) boy (for once my favorite) and the gorgeous bad (not quite established that) boy.

With a good pace that made me read the book a lot quicker than I thought, with nice characters, enough red herrings and possibilities, some dangerous situations (plus another dead body and drug traffic), Dead in a Dumpster was an enjoyable read and I look forward for the next volume.

"Don't leave town" (and read the book!)

About the author:
B. L. Blair writes simple and sweet romance and mystery/romance stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.

She is the author of the Holton Romance Series and the Leah Norwood Mysteries. She enjoys reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.


15 comments:

nurmawati djuhawan said...

i like reading mystery books...so definetely i would read this book
thx u ^^

Judy Thomas said...

Everything, I love reading mysteries

collenga said...

Love the mix of humor and mystery! Sounds like a great (and funny) read, thanks for sharing!

Rita Wray said...

The story sounds intriguing.

Piper said...

I'm very hard to please with literary mysteries, but the ones I do like, I love. So, I'm always looking out for a new mystery author to try.

Unknown said...

Great review! Sounds like an interesting book.

Maidenveil said...

first time to hear about this book actually.

Anonymous said...

What intriques me most is that the author mentions humor in the mystery. I'd love to see a good example of that!

Joseph Hawkshaw said...

Book sounds very good going to get and read.

Unknown said...

I love the part where she is finding the dead person in the dumpster, and the humor that is in the book, I always like a book with humor, I like to be reading at the gym and start to laugh!!! Thank you for the giveaway

Unknown said...

Mysteries for me definitely have to have a element of suspense like Agatha Christie's. I like that different characters are brought in (good boy, bad boy) and that by whatever choice she makes it will probably lead to another book. Love it!

Betul E. said...

I love a good mystery!

Anonymous said...

the story intrigues me

CCAM said...

let's say that I didn't quite expected to appear that "bad boy" and I would like if you will not undermine the good one.

Unknown said...

The title intrigues me.

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